Words / B2

uh-LYNM-uh-nt/əˈlaɪnmənt/

Alignment is the state of being in a straight line, or of sharing aims: wheel alignment, alignment between two policies. Agreement is everyday for the political sense; line-up is informal for the physical one. Align is the verb. In speech, they want the same thing / it sits straight is enough. Out of alignment means not matching. Do not use alignment as a vague compliment for “we get on.”

Meaning

The state of being in a straight line, or of sharing a position or aim.

Examples

• “There is close alignment between the two plans.”
• “The poster was out of alignment with the frame, which annoyed the caretaker more than the content.”
• “Closer alignment on homework policy saved tutors from answering the same complaint twice.”

Good to know

Being in line, or sharing aims. Verb: align. Everyday: agreement / sitting straight. out of alignment = not matching.

Near in meaning

agreement

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