What does leagued mean?
Leagued is the past tense and past participle of league, meaning to join with another person or group in a formal alliance or shared undertaking. It commonly appears in the expression 'leagued with,' as in 'the two organizations leagued with local government to coordinate their response.' The word conveys more than a casual association: it suggests a deliberate bond, cooperative arrangement, or common cause. In adjectival use, 'leagued' describes parties that have allied themselves with one another. Although understandable in ordinary speech, it is less common than allied, joined, or united, and its wording can sound formal, literary, or historical. The term is useful in political, institutional, and historical writing when the strength and purpose of a partnership need to be emphasized.
To join with another person, group, or organization in an alliance or cooperative undertaking.
"The mayors leagued with one another to lobby for additional public funding."
Usually transitive and often used in the expression 'leagued with.' The word has a formal or literary register.
Joined in an alliance; allied with another party or cause.
"The leagued governments announced a joint plan to reduce emissions."
Usually appears in the expression 'leagued with' or before a noun such as nations, groups, or organizations.
To be leagued with something is to be formally bound to it by a shared cause or alliance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of leagued
The word derives from league, which comes through Old French lige from the Latin verb ligare, meaning 'to bind.' In English, league originally referred to a binding agreement or alliance and later to an association of people or states. The form leagued was formed by adding the usual English past-tense and participial ending -ed to league.
How leagued is actually used
This word is relatively uncommon and has a formal or literary tone. It is most often used in the expression 'leagued with'; as an adjective, it can also occur in phrases such as 'leagued nations.'