Join — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈjȯin/

Meaning & Definition of Join

Join (verb)

  1. to put or bring together so as to form a unit
  2. to connect (separated items, such as points) by a line
  3. to put or bring into close association or relationship

Join (noun)

  1. something that joins two things, a place or line where joining occurs, joint
  2. union

Join (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be adjacent to

    "the condo complex joins the golf course"

    similar: abut, adjoin, border (on), butt (on or against), flank, fringe, march (with), neighbor, skirt, touch, verge (on)
    related: attach (to), communicate (with), connect (with), link (with), bound, embrace, encircle, enclose, fence, line, margin, rim, surround, contact, converge, meet

  2. to become a member of

    "we're always looking for new people to join our book club"

    similar: enlist (in), enroll (in), enter, sign on (for), sign up (for)
    related: reenlist, reenroll, reenter, rejoin, re-up, get in
    opposite: demit
    near: drop out, quit, withdraw

  3. to come together to form a single unit

    "one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms join to make one water molecule"

    similar: associate, coalesce, combine, conjoin, conjugate, connect, couple, fuse, interfuse, link (up), marry, unify, unite
    related: mate, yoke, ally, confederate, league, chain, compound, hitch, hook, splice, assemble, cluster, congregate, constellate, convene, gather, meet, recombine, reconnect, rejoin, reunify, reunite
    opposite: break up, dissever, part, section, separate, sever, split, sunder, unlink
    near: detach, disaffiliate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, fractionate, isolate, resolve, uncouple, unyoke, disband, disperse, scatter

  4. to participate or assist in a joint effort to accomplish an end

    "nations joining to bring aid to the earthquake-devastated region"

    similar: band (together), collaborate, concert, concur, conjoin, conspire, cooperate, league, team (up), unite, make common cause, play ball, pull together
    related: connive, affiliate, ally, associate, combine, confederate, hang together, interface

  5. to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole

    "the plan is to join the various bike paths so that cyclists can travel from one end of the cape to the other"

    similar: catenate, chain, compound, concatenate, conjugate, connect, couple, hitch, hook, interconnect, interlink, link, yoke
    related: articulate, dovetail, integrate, interlock, intermesh, cord, string, wire, cement, coalesce, combine, fuse, unite, weld
    opposite: disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke
    near: detach, disengage, divide, part, split, cleave, rupture, sever, sunder

Join (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place where two or more things are united

    "a small crack in the chalice at the join of the stem and the bowl"

    similar: connection, coupling, joining, joint, jointure, junction, juncture
    related: link, nexus, tie, interconnection, intersection, abutment, articulation, attachment, seam, suture, concourse, confluence, meeting, union
    near: cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, gap, rift, separation

Related Entry: Union (noun)

Union is a different word from Join. The synonyms below are for union, not for join.

  1. the act or an instance of joining two or more things into one

    "the union of East Germany and West Germany that became possible after the fall of communism"

    similar: combination, combining, connecting, connection, consolidation, coupling, junction, linking, merger, merging, unification
    related: agglomeration, amalgamation, blend, coalescence, commingling, compounding, fusion, intermingling, intermixture, mingling, mix, mixture, synthesis, reunification, reunion
    opposite: breakup, disconnection, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, partition, schism, scission, split
    near: detachment, divorcement, separation, severance

  2. an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection

    "in 1949 the U.S. and Canada joined their European allies in a transatlantic union to defend Western Europe from aggression by the Soviet Union"

    similar: alliance, axis, bloc, block, coalition, combination, combine, confederacy, confederation, federation, league
    related: cabal, conspiracy, junto, cartel, syndicate, trust, faction, front, fusion, side, wing, association, group, organization, affiliation, cooperative, partnership, circuit, conference

  3. the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)

    "the movie studio is producing the blockbuster in union with another studio because of the tremendous cost involved"

    similar: affiliation, alliance, association, collaboration, confederation, connection, cooperation, hookup, liaison, linkup, partnership, relation, relationship, tie-up
    related: business, dealings, interaction, exchange, interconnection, interrelation, mutualism, reciprocity, symbiosis, incorporation, integration, merger, unification, affinity, attachment, closeness, intimacy, rapport, sympathy, kinship, oneness, solidarity, togetherness, unity, colleagueship, companionship, company, fellowship, bed, cahoots, league
    opposite: disaffiliation, dissociation
    near: breakup, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, separation, severance, split, alienation, divorce, estrangement

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Join

The most common words with a similar meaning to Join:

abut, adjoin, border (on), butt (on or against), flank, fringe, march (with), neighbor, skirt, touch, verge (on), enlist (in), enroll (in), enter, sign on (for), sign up (for), associate, coalesce, combine, conjoin, conjugate, connect, couple, fuse, interfuse, link (up), marry, unify, unite, band (together), collaborate, concert, concur, conspire, cooperate, league, team (up), catenate, chain, compound

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Join

Words with the opposite meaning of Join:

demit, break up, dissever, part, section, separate, sever, split, sunder, unlink, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, disunite, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unyoke

Related Words for Join

attach (to), communicate (with), connect (with), link (with), bound, embrace, encircle, enclose, fence, line, margin, rim, surround, contact, converge, meet, reenlist, reenroll, reenter, rejoin, re-up, get in, mate, ally, confederate, splice, assemble, cluster, congregate, constellate

Near Antonyms of Join

drop out, quit, withdraw, detach, disaffiliate, dissociate, divide, divorce, fractionate, isolate, resolve, disband, disperse, scatter, disengage, cleave, rupture, cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, gap, rift, separation

Word Forms of Join

Inflections: joined, joining, joins

Derived words: joinable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Join

Middle English, from Anglo-French joindre, from Latin jungere yoke

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Join

Words & Phrases Containing Join

join battle, join hands, join in marriage, join (someone) in marriage/matrimony, join the club, join the crowd, join up, cojoin

Frequently Asked Questions about Join

What does "Join" mean?

"Join" means to put or bring together so as to form a unit. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to put or bring together so as to form a unit. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Join"?

Other words for "Join" include abut, adjoin, border (on), butt (on or against), flank, fringe, march (with) and neighbor. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Join" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Join"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Join". Common alternatives include abut, adjoin, border (on), butt (on or against), flank, fringe, march (with), neighbor, skirt and touch.

What is the opposite of "Join"?

Antonyms of "Join" include demit, break up, dissever, part, section, separate, sever and split. Near antonyms include drop out, quit, withdraw and detach.

How do you use "Join" in a sentence?

Examples of "Join" in a sentence: "the condo complex joins the golf course"; "we're always looking for new people to join our book club"; "one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms join to make one water molecule".

Is "Join" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Join" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Join" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Join" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Join"?

"Join" is pronounced /ˈjȯin/.