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Meaning & use

tied

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/taɪd/
US/taɪd/

“tied” is a form of “tie”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Fastened with a knot, string or rope.

    Grammar: Used before nouns or after be: tied shoelaces.

    Patterns

    • tied to something

    His shoes were tied tightly.

    The boat was tied to the dock.

    She wore her hair in a tied bun.

  2. adjectiveafter a verbsport

    Having the same score as the other side.

    Grammar: Used after be or end up: the match was tied.

    Patterns

    • tied at something
    • tied with someone

    The game was tied at two goals each.

    The teams ended up tied at the top.

    She is tied with her friend for first place.

  3. adjectiveafter a verbinformal

    Busy or limited by commitments.

    Grammar: Often followed by up or to: tied up, tied to a desk.

    Patterns

    • tied up
    • tied to something

    I'm tied up in meetings all day.

    He is tied to his desk until the report is finished.

    Her money is tied up in the house.

  4. adjectiveafter a verb

    Connected or linked to something else.

    Grammar: Often followed by to: tied to a place.

    Patterns

    • tied to something

    Their income is tied to sales.

    He felt tied to his hometown.

    The bonus is tied to performance.

Common combinations

tied up
I'm tied up this afternoon.
tied to
The raise is tied to results.
tied score
At a tied score the match went to extra time.
tied down
She didn't want to be tied down.
tied in
The case is tied in with others.

Synonyms and how they differ

bound
Bound suggests being tied firmly, often with rope, and often feels more formal than tied.
level
Level is used for scores and means equal, but is more common in British English.
even
Even also means equal, but tied suggests a score that stopped in a draw.
busy
Busy is general, while tied up suggests being held by a specific task.

Opposites

untiedloosefree

Word family

tie verb
to fasten with a knot or to draw level
untie verb
to undo a knot
tie noun
a band of cloth worn at the neck, or a draw
tying noun
the act of fastening

Commonly confused: tied or tide?

tied vs tide

Tide is the rise and fall of the sea, and sounds similar but has no link to knots or scores.

Practice

The match ended ___ at 1-1, so there was no winner.

Make it your own

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