Synergy
/ˈsɪnərɡi/
Definitions
The combined power that results when two or more things work together; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
/ˈsɪnərɡi/
The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
The project's success was due to the synergy between the different departments.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building with LEGOs. Alone, you can build a small house. But when you and your friend combine your LEGOs and ideas, you can build a huge castle! That's synergy – working together to create something amazing.
👶 For kids: When two things work together to make something bigger or better than they could on their own, that's synergy!
More Examples
The company hopes to create synergy by acquiring its competitor.
The combined skills of the team members resulted in a powerful synergy.
How It's Used
"The merger created a synergy that boosted profits significantly."
"The synergy between the drug and the therapy resulted in a better outcome."
"When the team members worked together, there was a great synergy which resulted in a fantastic outcome."
Idioms & expressions
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The combined effect of working together is greater than the individual effects.
"The team's success in winning the championship demonstrated that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
From New Latin synergia, from Greek synergia ('cooperation'), from synergos ('working together'), from syn- ('together') + ergon ('work').
The term 'synergy' gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in business and management literature to describe the benefits of organizational cooperation.
Memory tip
Think of 'synchrony' and 'energy.' When things work in synchrony, the energy is amplified.