tie
1 of 2verb
ˈtī 
tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ or tieing
or tieing transitive verb
1
a
: to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie
b
: to form a knot or bow in
tie your scarf
c
: to make by tying constituent elements
tied a wreath
tie a fishing fly
2
a
: to place or establish in relationship : connect
b
: to unite in marriage
c
: to unite (musical notes) by a tie
d
: to join (power systems) electrically
3
: to restrain from independence or freedom of action or choice : constrain by or as if by authority, influence, agreement, or obligation
4
a(1)
: to make or have an equal score with in a contest
(2)
: to equalize (the score) in a game or contest
(3)
: to equalize the score of (a game)
b
: to provide or offer something equal to : equal
intransitive verb
: to make a tie: such as
a
: to make a bond or connection
b
: to make an equal score
c
: to become attached
d
: to close by means of a tie
tie
2 of 2noun
1
a
: a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed
especially : shoelace
b(1)
: a structural element (such as a rod or angle iron) holding two pieces together : a tension member in a construction
(2)
: any of the transverse supports to which railroad rails are fastened to keep them in line
2
: something that serves as a connecting link: such as
a
: a moral or legal obligation to someone or something typically constituting a restraining power, influence, or duty
b
: a bond of kinship or affection
3
: a curved line that joins two musical notes of the same pitch to denote a single tone sustained through the time value of the two
4
a
: an equality in number (as of votes or scores)
b
: equality in a contest
also : a contest that ends in a draw
5
: a method or style of tying or knotting
6
: something that is knotted or is to be knotted when worn: such as
a
: necktie
b
: a low laced shoe : oxford
tieless
ˈtī-ləs
adjective 
Synonyms
Verb
- band
- bind
- truss
Noun
- dead heat
- draw
- stalemate
- standoff
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb His kidnappers tied him to a chair. She tied a scarf around her neck. She tied knots in the rope. You need to tie your shoe. His hands and feet had been tied together. She tied the apron loosely around her waist. The team still has a chance to tie. I had the lead but he tied me by making a birdie on the last hole. Her time tied the world record. He tied the school's record in the high jump. Noun He was wearing a suit and tie. You have a spot on your tie. The pants have a tie at the top. He was not ready to accept the ties of family life. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 To tie into the Park Trail theme, the bra and cargo pants are accented with orange straps and waist ties that resemble hiking chords. —Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 8 Feb. 2023 But defense lawyer Jim Griffin has objected to any testimony coming in about the residue, arguing that prosecutors were unable to tie the jacket to Alex through Smith's testimony. —Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 Brett White of Houston and Dalton Ward of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, each shot 66 to tie for second. —Todd Kelly, The Arizona Republic, 7 Feb. 2023 Related risks—supply chain shifts (30%) and operational risk (30%) tie for the fourth spot, the report found. —Bysheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 In one sweet video, the two share a kiss while posing for photos in their red-carpet looks—Lopez wearing a plunging navy gown embellished with crystal strands by Gucci, Affleck looking elegant in a classic black suit, vest, and tie. —Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Feb. 2023 Up 16 at one point in the second half, Central Florida was able to tie the Bearcats late in the game. —Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2023 This means the owner and any visitors would need to tie the boat to the lighthouse’s outer ladder and climb up while teetering on rocking waves. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023 Jay Cohen, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2023 Michigan State won at home in the regular season on Tyson Walker's tie-breaking 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. —Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Jan. 2023 The all-Muslim city council voted 3-2, with Mayor Amer Ghalib casting the tie-breaking vote, to amend a city ordinance to allow religious sacrifice of animals at home. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 11 Jan. 2023 Previously, in a 50-50 Senate, Democrats depended on Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote to give them a majority. —Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2023 During extra time, Messi scored for Argentina yet again, bringing the score to 3-2, before Mbappé pulled off a hat trick, forcing a tie-breaking shootout at 3-3. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2022 Democrats will retain an edge with Vice President Kamala Harris, who casts tie-breaking votes in event of Senate deadlocks. —George Petras, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2022 Democrats also still have Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote in their back pocket. —Rachel Scott, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2022 Democrats went into the election with the Senate split 50-50 and their party only holding control of the chamber, thanks to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris. —Haris Alic, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2022 See More
Verb
Marquette led for more than 33 of the 40 minutes but did let UConn tie the score at 31-31 with 6:10 left in the third quarter. —Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 To tie into the Park Trail theme, the bra and cargo pants are accented with orange straps and waist ties that resemble hiking chords. —Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 8 Feb. 2023 But defense lawyer Jim Griffin has objected to any testimony coming in about the residue, arguing that prosecutors were unable to tie the jacket to Alex through Smith's testimony. —Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 Brett White of Houston and Dalton Ward of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, each shot 66 to tie for second. —Todd Kelly, The Arizona Republic, 7 Feb. 2023 Related risks—supply chain shifts (30%) and operational risk (30%) tie for the fourth spot, the report found. —Bysheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 In one sweet video, the two share a kiss while posing for photos in their red-carpet looks—Lopez wearing a plunging navy gown embellished with crystal strands by Gucci, Affleck looking elegant in a classic black suit, vest, and tie. —Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Feb. 2023 Up 16 at one point in the second half, Central Florida was able to tie the Bearcats late in the game. —Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2023 This means the owner and any visitors would need to tie the boat to the lighthouse’s outer ladder and climb up while teetering on rocking waves. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023 Noun
Sam Hubbard returned Tyler Huntley’s fumble 98 yards for a tie-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens 24-17 in an AFC wild-card game on Sunday night. —Jay Cohen, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2023 Michigan State won at home in the regular season on Tyson Walker's tie-breaking 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. —Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Jan. 2023 The all-Muslim city council voted 3-2, with Mayor Amer Ghalib casting the tie-breaking vote, to amend a city ordinance to allow religious sacrifice of animals at home. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 11 Jan. 2023 Previously, in a 50-50 Senate, Democrats depended on Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote to give them a majority. —Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2023 During extra time, Messi scored for Argentina yet again, bringing the score to 3-2, before Mbappé pulled off a hat trick, forcing a tie-breaking shootout at 3-3. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2022 Democrats will retain an edge with Vice President Kamala Harris, who casts tie-breaking votes in event of Senate deadlocks. —George Petras, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2022 Democrats also still have Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote in their back pocket. —Rachel Scott, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2022 Democrats went into the election with the Senate split 50-50 and their party only holding control of the chamber, thanks to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris. —Haris Alic, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English teg, tye, from Old English tēag; akin to Old Norse taug rope, Old English tēon to pull — more at tow entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing tie
Kids Definition
tie
1 of 2 noun ˈtī
1
: a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed
2
a
: a structural part (as a beam) holding two pieces together
b
: one of the cross supports to which railroad rails are fastened
3
: a bond of kinship or affection
family ties
4
: a curved line joining two musical notes of the same pitch and used to indicate a single tone sustained through the time value of the two notes
5
a
: an equality in number : deadlock
the game ended in a tie
b
: a contest that ends with an equal score
6
: necktie
tie
2 of 2 verb tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ or tieing
or tieing 1
a
: to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie
b
: to form a knot or bow in
tie your scarf
2
: to limit the freedom or actions of
responsibilities tied us down
3
a
: to make or have an equal score with in a contest
the two teams tied
b
: to come up with something equal to
tied the score
tied 1 of 2
adjective
as in attached
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- attached
- bound
- fastened
- stuck
- constrained
- restrained
- wedged
- jammed
- firm
- taut
- tight
- tense
- fast
- snug
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loose
- loosened
- lax
- unsecured
- slack
- untied
- relaxed
- insecure
- detached
- undone
- unattached
- unbound
- free
- slackened
- unfastened
- baggy
- saggy
- blousy
tied
2 of 2verb
1
as in bound
to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord tied the newspapers into a bundle Synonyms & Similar Words
- bound
- strapped
- threaded
- knotted
- trussed
- wired
- banded
- roped
- wound
- cinched
- twisted
- tethered
- lashed
- tangled
- intertwined
- coiled
- laced
- entangled
- corded
- leashed
- girded
- girted
- girt
- snarled
- interlaced
- interweaved
- winded
- interwove
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- untied
- unfastened
- unbound
- unleashed
- unloosed
- undid
- unlaced
- unstrapped
- unraveled
- disentangled
- untangled
- unloosened
- unwound
- unlashed
- uncoiled
- untwisted
- unstrung
- unthreaded
- untethered
- untwined
- unspooled
- unsnarled
2
as in matched
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value) at the class reunion we learned that he had won the Nobel Prize in medicine—how could the rest of us tie that? Synonyms & Similar Words
- matched
- met
- topped
- equaled
- beat
- approached
- eclipsed
- equalled
- touched
- transcended
- surpassed
- outstripped
- rivaled
- outdistanced
- paralleled
- excelled
- outdid
- bettered
- outshone
- approximated
- outshined
- rivalled
- overtopped
- kept up
- measured up (to)
- amounted (to)
- stacked up (against or with)