liaise
lee-AYZ
/liˈeɪz/
To act as a link to assist communication between different groups or people.
Implies serving as a bridge or intermediary to ensure smooth coordination between distinct entities.
The story behind the word. Liaise is a 'back-formation' from the noun liaison. A liaison was originally a culinary term in French for a binding agent used in sauces (like egg yolks or cream). It was adopted by the military to describe the binding connection between different units, and eventually, the verb 'liaise' was born to describe the act of being that binding link.
Word relationships
- coordinate: Coordinate means to organize different elements to work together, while liaise focuses specifically on acting as the communication link between them.
- disconnect: Disconnect means to break a connection, whereas liaising actively builds and maintains a communication bridge.
Commonly confused with
- mediate: Mediate implies resolving a dispute or conflict between parties, whereas liaise simply means facilitating regular communication and cooperation.
Word family
- liaison (noun): Communication or cooperation which facilitates a close working relationship.
Collocations
- liaise closely with
- liaise between departments
- designated to liaise
Example sentences
- "The regional manager will liaise directly with the headquarters to ensure alignment on marketing strategies." An internal corporate handbook on communication protocols.
Memory hook
Think of the 'lia' in liaise as a 'link' that is 'always in service' (AIS) to connect two sides. Liaise is the link that binds.
When not to use
Don't use when you are simply talking to a friend or having a casual chat; it requires distinct groups or departments.
Fun facts
- The word 'liaison' was used in English for over two centuries before English speakers finally decided to turn it into the verb 'liaise' in the early 20th century.
Related words
Explore more words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.