Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: In addition to the uses shown below, '~' is used in phrasal verbs such as ‘piece ~’, ‘pull ~’, and ‘sleep ~’.
1.
If people do something ~, they do it with each other.
We went on long bicycle rides ~...
They all live ~ in a three-bedroom house...
Together they swam to the ship.
? alone
ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV cl
2.
If things are joined ~, they are joined with each other so that they touch or form one whole.
Mix the ingredients ~ thoroughly...
She clasped her hands ~ on her lap...
ADV: ADV after v
3.
If things or people are situated ~, they are in the same place and very near to each other.
The trees grew close ~...
Ginette and I gathered our things ~...
ADV: ADV after v
4.
If a group of people are held or kept ~, they are united with each other in some way.
He has done enough to pull the party ~...
ADV: ADV after v
•
Together is also an adjective.
We are ~ in the way we’re looking at this situation.
= united
ADJ: v-link ADJ
5.
If two people are ~, they are married or having a sexual relationship with each other.
We were ~ for five years...
ADJ: v-link ADJ, n ADJ, v n ADJ
6.
If two things happen or are done ~, they happen or are done at the same time.
Three horses crossed the finish line ~...
‘Yes,’ they said ~.
? separately
ADV: ADV after v
7.
You use ~ when you are adding two or more amounts or things to each other in order to consider a total amount or effect.
Together they account for less than five per cent of the population...
ADV: ADV before v, n ADV, ADV cl
8.
If you say that two things go ~, or that one thing goes ~ with another, you mean that they go well with each other or cannot be separated from each other.
I can see that some colours go ~ and some don’t...
PHRASE: pl-n PHR, PHR with n/-ing
9.
If you describe someone as ~, you admire them because they are very confident, organized, and know what they want. (INFORMAL)
She was very headstrong, and very ~...
ADJ approval
10.
You use ~ with to mention someone or something else that is also involved in an action or situation.
Every month we’ll deliver the very best articles, ~ with the latest fashion and beauty news...
PREP-PHRASE
11.
to get your act ~: see act
to put your heads ~: see head
put ~: see put