Tied
ˈtaɪd
Definitions
4 meaningsTo secure or fasten something with a string, rope, or similar material.
ˈtaɪd
To fasten or attach with a string, rope, or other flexible material.
She tied a ribbon in her hair.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're putting on your shoes. You use the laces and the action of tying them to make them stay on. That's 'tied'!
👶 For kids: To use string or rope to hold things together or to something else.
More Examples
The farmer tied the hay bales together.
I tied the package with twine.
How It's Used
"He tied his shoelaces before running."
"The fisherman tied the boat to the dock."
To make a knot or a series of knots.
ˈtaɪd
To form a knot in something.
He carefully tied the ends of the rope together.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're learning how to tie a perfect bow. That action is 'tied'.
👶 For kids: To make a knot.
More Examples
She tied a pretty bow on the gift.
Can you teach me how to tie a knot?
How It's Used
"She tied a simple knot in the rope."
"Could you tie a bow in the ribbon for the present?"
To achieve an equal score or result with someone or something.
ˈtaɪd
To bring into equality (a game score).
The score was tied at the end of the game.
💡 Simply: Imagine two teams playing and both have the same score at the end. They're 'tied'!
👶 For kids: When two players or teams have the same score.
More Examples
The candidates are tied in the race.
The two teams ended up tied.
How It's Used
"The game was tied after the first half."
"The two candidates are tied in the polls."
Attached or fastened by a tie, string, or similar.
ˈtaɪd
Being attached or fastened.
The packages were tied together with string.
💡 Simply: Imagine the boat is staying still because it is 'tied' to the pier.
👶 For kids: Being fastened to something.
More Examples
The balloon was tied to the chair.
The dog was tied to a tree.
How It's Used
"The boat was tied to the dock."
"He was tired after a long day."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
tie the knot
To get married.
"They decided to tie the knot next summer."
tied up
Busy or occupied.
"I'm tied up in meetings all day."
From Middle English *tien*, from Old English *tīgan* (“to tie, fasten”), from Proto-Germanic *tīganą* (“to tie, fasten”), from Proto-Indo-European *déygʷʰ- (“to bind, tie”).
Used since Old English to describe fastening objects. The use in sports scoring came later.
Memory tip
Think of tying a knot to remember this action.
Word Origin
"to bind, tie"