liaise
lee-EYZ
/liˈeɪz/
To act as a link or go-between to assist communication and cooperation between different groups.
Implies active, professional communication to bridge two distinct organizations or departments.
The story behind the word. The verb 'liaise' is actually a back-formation from the noun 'liaison'. 'Liaison' was borrowed from French (where it meant 'a binding' or 'connection') and was used in military contexts during WWI. By the mid-20th century, English speakers invented the verb 'liaise' to describe the action of performing this role.
Word relationships
- mediate: Mediate implies resolving a conflict or dispute, whereas liaise simply means facilitating communication and cooperation.
- isolate: Isolate means to cut off communication or connection completely.
Commonly confused with
- align: Align means to bring goals or physical things into agreement, while liaise is the actual act of communicating to connect groups.
Word family
- liaison (noun): Communication or cooperation which facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.
Collocations
- liaise closely with
- liaise between departments
- appointed to liaise
Example sentences
- "Our marketing director will liaise with the product development team to ensure the launch goes smoothly." Inter-departmental work
- "He was instructed to liaise with the local authorities to secure the perimeter of the base." Military operations
Memory hook
Think of 'liaise' as a 'link'. A liaison officer is the link that connects two chains. Act as the link.
When not to use
Do not use for casual, personal chats that do not serve an organizational or bridging purpose.
Fun facts
- In cooking, a 'liaison' is a mixture of egg yolks and cream used to thicken soups and sauces.
Related words
Also appears in
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