What is join? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of join in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of join

joinverb

gia nhập, tham gia, nối, chắp, ghép

/dʒɔɪn/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>join</strong>

Where does the word join come from?

The word "join" has a rich history! It comes from the Old French word "joindre", which means "to unite" or "to combine". This Old French word is derived from the Latin word "iungere", which is a combination of "iun-" (meaning "to join" or "to connect") and the suffix "-gare" (meaning "to make" or "to do"). The Latin "iungere" is also related to the English word "yoke", which refers to a device used to connect two animals together. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500 AD), the word "join" meant "to unite" or "to combine" and was often used in the context of physical connections, such as joining two pieces of wood together. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include figurative connections, such as joining an organization or joining forces with someone. Today, the word "join" has a wide range of meanings and is used in many different contexts.

Vocabulary summary join

typetransitive verb

meaningjoin, piece, graft, tie (one thing to another)

meaningconnect

exampleparallel lines never join: two parallel lines never meet

examplewhere the two rivers join

meaningtighten, unite, combine, union; make friends, make friends

exampleto join in the conversation

exampleto join two persons in marriage

typejournalize

meaningjoin together, tighten together, combine together; unite together, become friends with each other

meaningmeet, follow each other

exampleparallel lines never join: two parallel lines never meet

examplewhere the two rivers join

meaningjoin in, attend, enter in, interject

exampleto join in the conversation

exampleto join two persons in marriage

Example of vocabulary joinconnect

meaning

to fix or connect two or more things together

  • Join one section of pipe to the next.
  • The island is joined to the mainland by a bridge.
  • The head was not joined onto the body.
  • A central hallway joins the two halves of the house.
  • Join the two sections of pipe together.

Example of vocabulary joinbecome one

meaning

if two things or groups join, or if one thing or group joins another, they come together to form one thing or group

  • the place where the two paths join
  • The path joins the road near the trees.
  • Farmers can join together to get better prices.
  • They have joined with six other groups to lobby the government to end child poverty.

Example of vocabulary joinclub/company

meaning

to become a member of an organization, a company, a club, etc.

  • I've joined an aerobics class.
  • to join a group/club/team/party
  • She joined the company three months ago.
  • He left school to join the army.
  • to join the ranks of the unemployed

Example of vocabulary joindo something with somebody else

meaning

to take part in something that somebody else is doing or to go somewhere with them

  • Do you mind if I join you?
  • Will you join us for lunch?
  • They've invited us to join them on their yacht.
  • He joined her downstairs a few minutes later.
  • Over 200 members of staff joined the strike.

Example of vocabulary jointrain/plane

meaning

if you join a train, plane, etc. you get on it

Example of vocabulary joinroad/path/line

meaning

if you join a road or a line of people, you start to travel along it, or move into it

Synonyms and related words for join

Idioms of vocabulary join

if you can’t beat them, join them
(saying)if you cannot defeat somebody or be as successful as they are, then it is more sensible to join them in what they are doing and perhaps get some advantage for yourself by doing so
    join battle (with somebody)
    (formal)to begin fighting somebody
    • The two armies joined battle.
    • Local residents have joined battle with the council over the lack of parking facilities.
    join the club
    (informal)used when something bad that has happened to somebody else has also happened to you
    • So you didn't get a job either? Join the club!
    join/combine forces (with somebody)
    to work together in order to achieve a shared aim
    • The two firms joined forces to win the contract.
    • The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
    join hands (with somebody)
    if two people join hands, they hold each other’s hands
      to work together in doing something
      • Education has been reluctant to join hands with business.

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