Explanation at your level:
To link means to connect. You can link two things together. Think of holding hands with a friend; you are linked. You can also link a computer to the internet. It is a very useful word for joining things!
When you link things, you make a connection between them. For example, you can link your tablet to the Wi-Fi. In school, you might link two ideas in a story. It helps show that things belong together.
The verb link is used to describe how two things are associated. We often use it when talking about causes and effects. For instance, 'Scientists have linked the lack of sleep to poor concentration.' It is a standard way to explain relationships between facts.
In B2 English, link is frequently used in passive constructions, such as 'The two events are linked by a common theme.' It is also essential in digital contexts, such as 'linking' to a website. It implies a logical or structural dependency between entities.
At the C1 level, link is often used to discuss complex correlations. You might describe how 'socio-economic factors are inextricably linked to educational outcomes.' It suggests a sophisticated understanding of how variables interact within a system.
Mastering link involves understanding its nuance in academic and literary discourse. It can denote the subtle threads of causality or thematic resonance in a narrative. Whether discussing the 'missing link' in a philosophical argument or the 'linking' of disparate historical eras, the word carries a weight of structural importance.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to connect things.
- Can be physical or abstract.
- Very common in tech.
- Regular verb.
Hey there! Think of the word link as the glue that holds our world together. Whether you are literally connecting two chains or just noticing that two ideas are related, you are using this word.
When we say one thing is linked to another, we mean there is a bridge between them. It is a super versatile verb used in everything from computer science (hyperlinks) to criminal investigations (linking suspects to a crime).
The word link has a cool history! It comes from the Middle English word lenke, which referred to a loop of a chain. It is actually related to the Old Norse word hlekkr.
Over time, the meaning expanded from just physical metal loops to the abstract connections we talk about today. It is a great example of how language evolves from concrete, physical objects into complex, invisible concepts.
You will hear link used in many ways. In a casual setting, you might say, 'Can you link your phone to the speaker?' In more formal or academic settings, researchers often talk about 'linking data' or 'linking trends'.
Commonly, we use the preposition to after the verb. For example: 'The study links high sugar intake to health issues.' It is a very neutral, professional word that works in almost any situation.
Link up: To meet or join with someone. Example: Let's link up after class for coffee.
Missing link: A gap in a chain of evidence or evolution. Example: The detective finally found the missing link in the mystery.
Chain link: A specific type of metal fencing. Example: The dog was behind the chain link fence.
Link in the chain: A part of a larger process. Example: Every worker is a vital link in the chain of production.
Weak link: The person or part that makes a system fail. Example: Don't be the weak link in our team!
The verb link is regular, so its past tense and participle form is linked. It is pronounced with a single syllable: /lɪŋk/. The 'nk' sound is a nasal velar stop, which can be tricky for some learners.
It often follows the pattern link A to B. It rhymes with words like sink, pink, blink, think, and drink. Keep the vowel short and sharp!
Fun Fact
It evolved from a physical chain link to a digital hyperlink!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound like 'sit'.
Similar to UK, clear 'nk' ending.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'g' separately
- making the vowel too long
- swallowing the 'k'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Prepositions
link to
Examples by Level
I link my phone to the Wi-Fi.
I connect my phone.
Verb + object + to
The bridge links the two islands.
Please link these two sentences.
Do you want to link your accounts?
The police linked the two crimes.
I can link the photos to the report.
Can you link your email to this app?
These roads link the city to the port.
We link our arms to stay together.
The study links diet to heart health.
He linked the two ideas together perfectly.
The tunnel links the two countries.
They linked the suspect to the robbery.
The app links directly to your bank.
Can we link these files together?
The article links the crisis to bad policy.
She linked her success to hard work.
The evidence links him to the scene.
The two theories are closely linked.
We need to link the database to the server.
The author links the past to the present.
These events are inextricably linked.
The policy is linked to long-term goals.
The project links art with technology.
The report links rising costs to inflation.
The findings link environmental change to migration.
His work links classical themes to modern issues.
The system links individual data points into a pattern.
The scandal is linked to high-level corruption.
We must link theory to practical application.
The network links various global markets.
The research links genetics to behavior.
The author links the protagonist's journey to a myth.
The narrative links the personal to the political.
The historian links the decline to economic instability.
The architecture links tradition with innovation.
The philosopher links ethics to human nature.
The study links neural activity to memory.
The exhibition links disparate cultures through art.
The policy links local needs to global standards.
The discourse links language to social power.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"weak link"
the vulnerable part
He is the weak link in the team.
casual""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
similar meaning
connect is broader
Connect the dots / Link the accounts.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + link + object + to + object
I linked the files to the email.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
While 'link with' exists, 'link to' is standard for connecting X to Y.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a chain.
Tech context
Use for web.
Gaming
Link from Zelda.
Link to
Always use to.
Short i
Keep it sharp.
Don't use with
Use to instead.
History
Chain origin.
Flashcards
Use sentences.
Past tense
Linked.
Formal
Use in essays.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'link' in a chain.
Visual Association
Two metal rings hooked together.
Word Web
Challenge
Find three things in your room that are linked.
Word Origin
Middle English
Original meaning: a loop of a chain
Cultural Context
None
Commonly used in tech and business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Tech
- link to website
- broken link
- link account
Conversation Starters
"How do you link your ideas?"
"What is the best way to link devices?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you linked two ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it can be both a verb and a noun.
Test Yourself
Can you ___ the computer to the printer?
Link means to connect.
Which is a synonym for link?
Connect is the same as link.
Link is a verb.
Yes, it is an action word.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
The bridge links the islands.
Score: /5
Summary
Link is the universal word for making a connection between two things.
- Used to connect things.
- Can be physical or abstract.
- Very common in tech.
- Regular verb.
Memory Palace
Imagine a chain.
Tech context
Use for web.
Gaming
Link from Zelda.
Link to
Always use to.
Example
You can link your phone to the car's audio system via Bluetooth.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Technology words
abautoal
C1A systematic method or process for the automatic alignment and integration of disparate data structures or linguistic units. It refers specifically to the technical framework used to ensure that various components within a complex system synchronize without manual intervention.
abautoence
C1To systematically automate or streamline a process through self-governing mechanisms or autonomous routines. It describes the act of delegating manual tasks to background technical or habitual systems to maximize efficiency and reduce cognitive load.
ablogtion
C1To systematically remove, purge, or scrub digital records and chronological log entries from a platform, typically to manage one's online reputation. It describes the intentional process of deleting old blog content or social media history to create a clean digital slate.
abmanless
C1To remove the need for manual human intervention or oversight from a system or process through automation or technological integration. It specifically refers to the transition of a task from human-led to fully autonomous operation.
activation
B2Activation refers to the process of making something start working or become functional. It is commonly used in contexts like technology, biology, and chemistry to describe the triggering of a mechanism or reaction.
actuator
B2An actuator is a mechanical component responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system. It acts as the 'muscle' of a machine by converting energy, such as electricity or air pressure, into physical motion.
adpaterable
C1To modify or configure a system, device, or concept so that it becomes compatible with an adapter or can be integrated into a new environment. This verb is primarily used in technical or specialized contexts to describe the proactive adjustment of components for interoperability.
adpaterward
C1A secondary adjustment or a supplementary component integrated into a technical system after initial assembly to ensure compatibility with newer standards. It refers specifically to the physical or digital 'bridge' that facilitates late-stage synchronization between legacy and modern parts.
aerospace
B2Relating to the design, manufacture, and operation of vehicles that fly within the Earth's atmosphere or in outer space. It encompasses both the aviation industry and the space exploration sector.
algorithms
B2A set of rules or precise step-by-step instructions used to calculate, process data, or perform automated reasoning tasks. While often associated with computers, an algorithm is essentially a formula for solving a problem.
