Definition

1. Verb:

   • To fasten, attach, or secure with a cord, rope, or similar material: The primary meaning is to bind or connect objects together.
   • To form a knot or bow: To create a specific fastening, especially in items like neckwear or shoelaces.
   • To finish a contest with an equal score: To have the same number of points or goals as an opponent, resulting in a draw.
   • To restrict or limit: To bind someone or something to a particular condition, place, or obligation.
   • To unite or connect in a non-physical sense: To create social, emotional, or legal bonds between people or entities.

2. Noun:

   • A strip of material worn around the neck: A long piece of cloth, typically worn by men, fastened under the collar and knotted at the front.
   • A cord or string used for fastening: An object used to bind things together.
   • An equal score in a game or contest: A situation where competitors finish with identical results; a draw.
   • A connection or bond: A social, familial, or professional relationship.
   • A structural beam or brace: A horizontal piece used in construction or railway tracks to hold parts together.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • Please tie your shoelaces before you trip. (To fasten with a knot.)
  • The two teams will tie if neither scores again. (To finish with an equal score.)
  • His new job ties him to the city. (To restrict or bind.)
  • The ceremony will tie them together in marriage. (To unite legally or emotionally.)

• Noun:

  • He wore a silk tie with his suit. (A necktie.)
  • The game ended in a tie, so they will play again. (An equal score; a draw.)
  • She has strong family ties to her hometown. (Connections or bonds.)
  • The railroad tie needs to be replaced. (A structural beam supporting a rail.)

Advanced Usage

• "to tie the knot": To get married.

  • They finally decided to tie the knot after ten years together.

• "to tie one's hands": To restrict someone's freedom of action.

  • The strict budget ties my hands when it comes to new projects.

• "to tie in with": To be connected or associated with something.

  • Her research ties in with recent developments in the field.

Variants and Related Words

• Tied (adj): Fastened with a tie; restricted.

  • He arrived with his hands tied behind his back.

• Tie-up (n): A stoppage or connection.

  • The traffic tie-up delayed us for an hour.

• Tiebreaker (n): A means of deciding a winner from contestants who are tied.

  • They used a penalty shootout as a tiebreaker.

Synonyms

• Verb: Bind, fasten, secure, attach, connect, lash, restrict, equalize.
• Noun: Necktie, cravat, draw, deadlock, bond, link, connection, beam.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tie down: To restrict or limit someone's freedom.

  • He didn't want a job that would tie him down.

• Tie up:

  • To fasten securely with rope or cord.

    • Tie up the boat at the dock.
  • To occupy or engage completely.

    • I'm tied up in meetings all day.
  • To bring to a standstill.

    • The accident tied up traffic.

• Tie in: To connect or be consistent with something.

  • How does this theory tie in with the existing data?

Related Idioms

• Fit to be tied: Extremely angry or upset.

  • He was fit to be tied when he heard the news.

• Tie yourself in knots: To become very confused or anxious when trying to explain or do something.

  • She tied herself in knots trying to answer the simple question.

Verb

1. unite musical notes by a tie
2. make by tying pieces together
   • The fishermen tied their flies
3. perform a marriage ceremony
   • The minister married us on Saturday
   • We were wed the following week
   • The couple got spliced on Hawaii
4. create social or emotional ties
   • The grandparents want to bond with the child
5. form a knot or bow in
   • tie a necktie
6. connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
   • Can you connect the two loudspeakers?
   • Tie the ropes together
   • Link arms
7. limit or restrict to
   • I am tied to UNIX
   • These big jets are tied to large airports
8. finish a game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.
   • The teams drew a tie
9. fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
   • They tied their victim to the chair

Noun

1. a cord (or string or ribbon or wire etc.) with which something is tied
   • he needed a tie for the packages
2. one of the cross braces that support the rails on a railway track
   • the British call a railroad tie a sleeper
3. (music) a slur over two notes of the same pitch; indicates that the note is to be sustained for their combined time value
4. the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided
   • the game ended in a draw
   • their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie
5. a fastener that serves to join or connect
   • the walls are held together with metal links placed in the wet mortar during construction
6. a horizontal beam used to prevent two other structural members from spreading apart or separating
   • he nailed the rafters together with a tie beam
7. equality of score in a contest
8. a social or business relationship
   • a valuable financial affiliation
   • he was sorry he had to sever his ties with other members of the team
   • many close associations with England
9. neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
   • he stood in front of the mirror tightening his necktie
   • he wore a vest and tie