combine
gb/kˈɑmbaɪn/ us/kˈɑmbaɪn/
A2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
join things together
To put two or more things together to make one thing.
Usage pattern:
to combine [something] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'combine' with 'mix', but 'combine' can be more general and is not only for physical substances.
Synonyms
merge (Often used for companies or organizations joining together, sometimes more formal.)
|
unite (Emphasizes becoming one, often with people or groups.)
Antonyms
separate (Means to keep things apart instead of joining them.)
Collocations
combine efforts
|combine forces
|combine ingredients
|combine resources
|combine data
Themes
daily life
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We decided to combine our savings to buy a house.
- The chef will combine the flour and sugar in a bowl.
- They combined their efforts to finish the project on time.
- You should combine the data from both surveys before analyzing it.
- The two companies combined to create a stronger brand.
Learner examples
- I will combine milk and eggs for the cake.
- We combine our money to buy a gift.
- Mix the rice and beans to combine them.
- They combine ideas to make a plan.
- Combine the colors to make green.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
crop-harvesting machine
A big farm machine that cuts and collects crops like wheat.
Synonyms
harvester (General term for any machine that gathers crops.)
Collocations
modern combine
|drive a combine
|combine harvester
|operate a combine
Themes
agriculture
|technology
|work
|nature
Examples
- The farmer drove the combine across the wheat field.
- Modern combines can harvest hundreds of acres in a day.
- He spent the summer operating a combine on his uncle's farm.
Learner examples
- The farmer uses a combine to get the wheat.
- He drives the combine in the field.
- A combine is very big and loud.
Grammar
Dictionary form
combine
IPA
GB/kˈɑmbaɪn/
US/kˈɑmbaɪn/
Syllables & stress
com - bine (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: combine
- Plural: combines
Verb
- Base: combine
- 3rd Person Singular: combines
- Present Participle: combining
- Past: combined
Word family
Forms
combines
noun
combining
verb
combined
verb
Core family
combination
noun A2
Advanced or less common
combinable
adjective
recombine
verb
recombination
noun
Expressions
combine forces
1/kəmbˈaɪn fˈɔɹsɪz/
fixed phrase
work together for same aim
To work together with someone to reach the same goal.
Examples
- The two charities combined forces to help the homeless.
- We should combine forces to finish this project faster.
combine with
1/kəmbˈaɪn wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
join or mix with something else
To be joined or mixed with another thing.
Examples
- The new policy combines with existing laws to improve safety.
- Oil does not easily combine with water.