together
adverb
UK/təˈɡeð.ər/US/təˈɡɛð.ɚ/
with or in proximity to another person or people; in combination; collectively
Example Sentences
They decided to walk home together after the party.
We worked together on the group assignment and finished ahead of schedule.
Singing together created a powerful sense of unity among the choir members.
When families spend quality time together, they often develop stronger bonds and deeper understanding of one another’s experiences.
The couple always travels together, preferring to share every new adventure side by side.
He arranged the pieces of the puzzle together, carefully checking each one’s fit before committing to its place.
Although the team members came from different backgrounds, they pulled together to overcome the unexpected challenges, demonstrating the power of cooperation in achieving ambitious goals.
During challenging times, communities often come together to support each other, forming volunteer groups, donation drives, and supportive networks that strengthen social bonds.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Indicates joint action, combined efforts, or close unification of elements.This term functions primarily as an adverb, unifying entities, people, or actions in a common place or purpose. It often appears when describing group collaboration: “We worked together on the project,” implying a shared effort or coordinated teamwork. It can also signal a spatial closeness or merging of elements—“She tied the pieces together,” meaning she joined them physically. In daily tasks, saying “Let’s eat together” invites a social or communal experience, transforming separate actions into a single, cooperative event.Beyond literal use, it can convey harmony, whether emotional or organizational. Describing a situation as “coming together” implies that disparate parts are aligning smoothly. In relationship contexts—“We’ve been together for five years”—it underscores a partnership, demonstrating both emotional closeness and shared experiences. And in problem-solving, “putting ideas together” showcases mental synthesis, drawing from varied concepts to form cohesive solutions. When using this word, ensure your audience knows what is being combined: if multiple people, tasks, or objects are involved, add clarity—“We planned this event together,” “They stitched the fabrics together,” etc. Positioning “together” appropriately in a sentence helps highlight the unity or assembled nature of what you’re describing.
Alternatives
Depending on context, various synonyms capture a similar sense of union or joint activity. “Jointly” works well in formal writing about shared work (“They jointly managed the conference”). “Collectively” emphasizes group cohesion, often in official or academic contexts (“The researchers collectively published their findings”). “In unison” focuses on synchronized action, especially in performance or music (“The choir sang in unison”). For describing merged objects or items, terms like “combined” or “fused” may fit better (“She combined the data into one file,” “They fused the parts into a single unit”). If you want to highlight harmonious cooperation, “cooperatively” or “in collaboration” might underscore teamwork. For informal or everyday contexts, “along with each other” or “side by side” can add a friendly, approachable tone. Each choice has a slightly different nuance—some lean more formal, others more casual—so pick a synonym that fits your subject matter, whether you’re writing about a business partnership, a social outing, or a creative enterprise. In general, these variations keep your vocabulary flexible and avoid repetitive use of the same adverb across multiple sentences or sections.
Writing
In writing, “together” helps fuse ideas, tasks, or people in a cohesive manner. It’s particularly useful when you want to show collaboration—like “The authors wrote the article together,” guiding readers to see a unified effort. Whether drafting fiction or a report, you can employ it to create smooth narratives around joined actions: “They gathered together,” “They decided to tackle the challenge together.” However, watch for redundancy. Writing “They gathered together” can be tautological if “gathered” already implies coming as one. You might opt for “They gathered” or “They met together” if you need to emphasize unity in a certain moment. For more formal or technical texts, consider if synonyms like “collectively” or “in conjunction” better fit your subject. When describing tangible objects, be sure to specify how and why they’re brought together—“She packaged the samples together for shipment.” Clarity in that combination (what, how, and for what purpose) keeps your description precise. Balanced use of “together” and its alternatives helps maintain an engaging, varied style without sounding repetitive or vague.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, “together” appears in dozens of phrases that showcase shared or simultaneous actions. You’ll hear “We cooked dinner together,” “We laughed together,” or “We grew up together,” reinforcing camaraderie and collective experience. It also helps portray unity in simple instructions—“Let’s go to the store together,” or “Let’s figure this out together”—inviting the other person’s cooperation. Socially, you might say “They’re together now,” indicating a romantic relationship, or “We got through it together,” conveying mutual emotional support. In each instance, the word spotlights closeness or group effort. If you’re referencing physical objects, informal chat might just say “lump them together,” suggesting you combine items for convenience or speed. When texting or messaging friends, “together” is a quick, universal way to propose any joint endeavor—“Shall we watch that show together?”—and the tone remains friendly, inclusive, and easy-going.
Etymology
From Old English “tōgædere” (meaning “in company with, at the same time”), “together” is rooted in Germanic languages where “to” carried a sense of “to/toward,” and “gædere” hinted at “gathering.” Over time, these elements merged, evolving into a single adverb describing items or people in unity or close proximity. In Middle English, spellings varied (like “togedere,” “togeder”) before standardizing to the modern “together.” Its foundational notion—being in the same place or acting as one—remained consistent across centuries. Medieval texts often used it to underscore communal or collective action (“They journeyed together to the Holy Land”). As societies grew more complex, the term gained broader metaphoric reach, describing not just physical assembly but emotional or conceptual union (“bringing ideas together,” “staying together through hardship”). The persistent usage underscores how integral group cooperation and unity are in human interaction, both physically and metaphorically. Today, “together” continues to convey mutual effort, partnership, or combined presence, bridging casual talk, literary expression, and formal discourse alike.