B2 verb Neutral

unify

/ˈjuː.nɪ.faɪ/

To bring separate parts, groups, or entities together to form a single, cohesive unit or whole. It involves creating harmony or a common purpose among diverse elements.

Examples

3 of 5
1

We need to unify our efforts if we want to finish cleaning the house quickly.

We must work together as one team to complete the housework faster.

2

The leader's primary goal was to unify the fragmented political parties under a single platform.

The leader aimed to bring the divided political groups together into one organization.

3

Let's unify our snack piles into one big bowl for the movie night.

Let's put all our snacks together in one place for the movie.

Word Family

Noun
unification
Verb
unify
Adjective
unified
Related
unity
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'unicycle' (one wheel) or a 'unicorn' (one horn). The prefix 'uni-' always means 'one,' so 'unify' means 'to make into one.'

Quick Quiz

The new president hoped to _______ the nation after a very divisive election.

Correct!

The correct answer is: unify

Examples

1

We need to unify our efforts if we want to finish cleaning the house quickly.

everyday

We must work together as one team to complete the housework faster.

2

The leader's primary goal was to unify the fragmented political parties under a single platform.

formal

The leader aimed to bring the divided political groups together into one organization.

3

Let's unify our snack piles into one big bowl for the movie night.

informal

Let's put all our snacks together in one place for the movie.

4

Historians examine the factors that helped unify the various city-states during the Renaissance.

academic

Scholars study what caused the different independent cities to become one nation.

5

The CEO implemented a new strategy to unify the branding across all international branches.

business

The executive started a plan to make the company's image the same in every country.

Word Family

Noun
unification
Verb
unify
Adjective
unified
Related
unity

Common Collocations

unify a country to bring a divided nation together
unify the ranks to ensure everyone in a group is working toward the same goal
unify diverse groups to bring different types of people together
unify scientific theories to combine different scientific ideas into one system
unify under a leader to become a single group following one person

Common Phrases

unify into one

to merge several things into a single entity

unify for a cause

to come together to support a specific goal

unify the front

to present a single, coordinated appearance or position

Often Confused With

unify vs unite

Unite is more common in general speech, while unify often implies a more formal or structural process of making things into a single unit.

unify vs uniform

Uniform is an adjective meaning 'the same' or a noun for clothing; unify is the verb meaning the action of making things one.

📝

Usage Notes

Unify is frequently used in political, historical, or scientific contexts where different parts are being brought together systematically. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'unify' for physical connections like 'unify the two cables,' where 'connect' or 'join' is more appropriate. Unify suggests a more abstract or organizational coming-together.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'unicycle' (one wheel) or a 'unicorn' (one horn). The prefix 'uni-' always means 'one,' so 'unify' means 'to make into one.'

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Late Latin 'unificare', which combines 'unus' (one) and 'facere' (to make).

Grammar Patterns

Transitive verb: Subject + unify + Object Often used in the passive voice (e.g., 'The two kingdoms were unified'). Can be followed by the preposition 'into' (e.g., 'unify several departments into one').
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Cultural Context

The term is heavily associated with 19th-century history, specifically the Unification of Germany and the Unification of Italy.

Quick Quiz

The new president hoped to _______ the nation after a very divisive election.

Correct!

The correct answer is: unify

Related Words

anticisist

C1

To actively challenge, subvert, or dismantle cisnormative assumptions and institutional gender binaries. This verb describes the proactive process of advocating for gender-diverse perspectives by questioning established social norms.

intermovy

C1

The dynamic and reciprocal movement or exchange occurring between different groups, systems, or states. It specifically highlights the fluid transition and interplay of elements as they shift from one context to another.

exmarist

C1

A person who was formerly a member of the Marist Brothers or the Society of Mary, or a former student who attended a Marist educational institution. It refers to someone who maintains an identity or connection with the Marist tradition after leaving the formal organization.

unmanfy

C1

To deprive someone or something of traditionally masculine qualities, strength, or vigor. It is often used figuratively to describe the process of making a person or a concept appear weak, vulnerable, or less assertive than expected.

obvolvence

C1

The state or condition of being wrapped, enveloped, or enshrouded by a surrounding layer. It is used both literally in biological contexts to describe a covering and metaphorically to describe being obscured or hidden.

oblucation

C1

To render something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible, especially through the use of complex language or ambiguous details. It involves intentionally making a concept difficult to perceive or understand to hide the truth or avoid directness.

overprivine

C1

A formal noun referring to the state or condition of possessing excessive social or economic privilege, often to the point where it diminishes one's ability to empathize with others. It describes a structural or individual abundance of advantages that creates a disconnect from the realities of the less fortunate.

intrapaty

C1

Refers to activities, discussions, or conflicts occurring within a single political party rather than between different parties. It describes the internal dynamics, factionalism, or cohesion among members of the same political organization.

subvadful

C1

To subvadful means to perform a comprehensive and intensive verification of the fundamental layers of a system, argument, or physical structure. It implies a deep-dive analysis that goes beyond surface-level inspection to ensure that hidden foundations are entirely secure and functional.

dislegly

C1

A test-specific term used to describe something that is not permitted by law or established rules. It characterizes actions, behaviors, or documents that violate a formal code or legal standard within a controlled linguistic simulation.

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