Meaning & use
sync
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitivecomputing
To make devices or files match by copying updates between them so they hold the same information.
Grammar: With an object: sync your phone. Without: the files sync automatically.
Patterns
- sync something with something
- sync up
I need to sync my phone with my laptop.
Your photos will sync automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi.
The app syncs your calendar across all devices.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make two things happen at the same time, or to match in timing.
Grammar: Often used with up: the audio and video need to sync up.
Patterns
- sync up with something
The sound doesn't sync with the picture.
The dancers synced their steps perfectly.
noununcountable
The state of matching in timing or operation; used mainly in the phrases in sync and out of sync.
Grammar: Mostly appears in fixed phrases with in or out of.
Patterns
- in sync with someone
- out of sync
The two singers were perfectly in sync.
The lips and voices were out of sync.
Word forms
| third person singular | syncs |
|---|---|
| past tense | synced |
| past participle | synced |
| -ing form | syncing |
Common combinations
- sync with
- The tablet will sync with your account.
- in sync
- Our schedules are never in sync.
- out of sync
- The subtitles are out of sync.
- sync up
- Let's sync up after lunch to compare notes.
- auto sync
- Turn on auto sync to save your changes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- synchronize
- The full, more formal form of the same verb.
- coordinate
- Means to organize things to work well together, without implying exact timing.
- match
- Refers to making things the same, not necessarily at the same time.
Word family
- synchronize verb
- formal form of sync
- synchronization noun
- the act of making things work in time together
- synchronous adjective
- happening at the same time
Commonly confused: sync or sink? sync or cinch?
sync vs sink
Sink sounds similar but means to go below a surface; sync is about matching.
sync vs cinch
Cinch sounds almost the same but means something very easy.
Practice
The video looks fine, but the sound is out of ___.
Choose one answer.
Out of sync means not matching in timing, the standard phrase for sound and picture. Out of tune refers to music pitch.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sync”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.