Meaning & use
linked
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Joined to something else, either physically or by a shared connection.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: linked rooms, the rooms are linked.
Patterns
- linked to something
- linked with something
The two buildings are linked by a covered walkway.
The linked websites share the same login.
Several linked incidents worried the police.
adjectiveafter a verb
Shown by evidence or reasoning to be connected or related, such as a cause with an effect.
Grammar: Usually follows be or become with to: linked to heart disease.
Patterns
- linked to something
- be closely linked
Lack of sleep is linked to poor memory.
The study found the habit was linked to higher risk.
The two crimes were linked by one witness.
Common combinations
- closely linked
- Diet and health are closely linked.
- directly linked
- The accident was directly linked to the faulty brakes.
- linked to
- The disease has been linked to pollution.
- inextricably linked
- Their fates were inextricably linked.
- linked together
- The cities are linked together by rail.
Synonyms and how they differ
- connected
- Connected is the everyday word for any relationship, while linked often suggests a traceable chain or evidence-based relation.
- related
- Related can describe family or a general similarity, whereas linked suggests a specific bond.
- associated
- Associated suggests things occur together without proving a cause, a bit weaker than linked.
- joined
- Joined stresses a physical attachment more than linked does.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: linked or lynched?
linked vs lynched
Lynched sounds a little like linked but describes a killing by a mob, with no relation to connection.
Practice
Researchers said lack of exercise is ___ poor health.
Choose one answer.
Linked takes the preposition to when showing a connection. The other patterns are not idiomatic.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “linked”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.