align
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈlaɪn/US/əˈlaɪn/
to place or arrange things in a straight line; to position something so that it is properly adjusted relative to something else; to bring into agreement or cooperation with a particular group, ideology, or goal
Example Sentences
Please align the picture frame with the edge of the wall to ensure it hangs straight.
The company aims to align its policies with the latest environmental regulations to promote sustainability.
She carefully aligned the tiles before applying the adhesive to guarantee a seamless finish.
The project manager worked to align the team’s objectives with the overall mission of the organization, fostering better collaboration and efficiency.
To ensure proper functionality, the technician aligned the printer's cartridges according to the manufacturer's instructions.
During the renovation, they had to align the new plumbing with the existing pipes, which required precise measurements and adjustments.
By aligning their marketing strategy with current consumer trends, the business was able to increase its market share significantly.
The new software update was designed to align with the users' feedback, enhancing the overall experience and addressing common concerns effectively.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To position elements in correct order or synchronize actions and objectives.Use “align” when referring to arranging things in a straight line or coordinating concepts, strategies, or people so they share a common direction or purpose. In a physical sense, it can mean lining up objects—like aligning pictures on a wall for a neat visual effect. Metaphorically, in business or teamwork, “align” focuses on ensuring everyone’s goals, plans, or methods match up, eliminating conflicts. For instance, you might say, “We need to align our marketing campaign with our product roadmap,” underscoring that the team’s messaging and strategies should complement each other. In personal decision-making, “align” can describe making life choices that match your values or priorities—“I want to align my career with my passion for social work.” Whether describing literal placement or a broader sense of synergy, “align” highlights the idea of bringing elements into a cohesive order where each part supports the whole.
Alternatives
Depending on your intent, related terms for “align” include “coordinate,” “harmonize,” “match,” or “converge.” “Coordinate” suggests careful planning to ensure elements work together smoothly, often used in logistics or group initiatives. “Harmonize” emphasizes blending distinct parts into a pleasing or balanced whole, akin to musical harmony. “Match” can mean pairing items that fit well together, though it doesn’t always imply a shared goal—just similarity. “Converge” highlights coming together from different directions into a single point. In design or presentation contexts, “line up” or “straighten” might work if you’re talking about literal positioning. For strategic or conceptual agreement, “synchronize” or “bring into accord” also convey alignment. Your choice depends on whether you’re emphasizing spatial arrangement, collaborative effort, or ideological unity. Each term underscores the movement toward coherence or consistency, but with slightly different nuances of how and why things line up together.
Writing
In writing, clarify what’s being aligned and why. For instance, if you discuss a company’s vision and operations, you might say, “The leadership team seeks to align departmental goals with overall corporate strategy,” indicating a strategic process. If you’re describing design principles, “align the text to the center of the page” is a straightforward instruction for layout. In an academic paper or policy document, you might note the need to align stakeholder interests, showing you value consensus or efficiency. To deepen your explanation, detail the benefit of alignment—like consistency, clarity, or synergy. You can also show what happens when alignment is missing—miscommunication, inconsistent actions, or conflict. If focusing on thematic alignment in a literary analysis, for example, explain how plot points align with a central motif or moral. Overall, pairing “align” with specific examples or criteria shows readers exactly how alignment occurs and what it achieves, making your argument or narrative more persuasive. Whether describing physical adjustments or conceptual unity, “align” underscores coordination, order, and purposeful convergence.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “align” can pop up when you’re discussing shared interests or trying to get plans in sync: “Let’s align our calendars so we can schedule a lunch date.” You might also say, “Her views really align with mine,” showing that you hold similar opinions or values. It can be used humorously, too—like arranging furniture so it ‘aligns’ perfectly if you’re a stickler for neatness. You might mention that you’re trying to align your workout routine with your dietary goals to stay healthy. Although “align” sounds a bit more formal than “match up” or “line up,” it’s still acceptable in informal chats, especially when emphasizing neat organization or harmonious agreement. When someone says, “We need to align on this,” in a friendly group chat, they likely mean everyone should agree on the plan or outcome. Being mindful of context ensures you don’t sound too corporate in everyday interactions, but overall, “align” is a versatile verb that tidily signals coming together under a unified approach or layout.
Etymology
“Align” originates from the French word “aligner,” which combines “à” (to) with “ligne” (line), meaning “to bring into line.” Early uses centered around physically straightening objects or arranging them in rows—such as aligning troops on the battlefield for uniformity or lining up text in typesetting. Over time, this notion of setting things in a line broadened to conceptual alignment as well, capturing how diverse ideas, plans, or people can be brought into parallel or agreement. In modern usage, you see “align” frequently in project management, organizational strategy, and design, carrying forward that root sense of neat, purposeful arrangement. It underscores the value placed on seamless coordination and uniform direction, whether in physically aligning objects or metaphorically aligning aims, beliefs, or operations. The transition from literal alignment (lining up objects) to figurative alignment (harmonizing intentions or methods) reflects the word’s flexibility and enduring relevance across different fields and contexts.
