combination

A group or mixture made up of different things together.

• Red and blue are a nice combination.
• Her success came from a combination of talent and hard work.
• Which combination of flavors do you prefer?

How to use it: a combination of A and B (The job needs a combination of patience and skill.)

Similar words: mixture, mix, blend

Common phrases: combination of things, perfect combination, color combination, winning combination

The joining of things, their being together, or the mixture this creates.

• These colors work well in combination.
• The combination of the ingredients produces a thick paste.
• Their plan depends on a combination of several approaches.

How to use it: in combination with something (Exercise works best in combination with a healthy diet.)

Similar words: combining, mixture, union

Opposites: separation

Common phrases: in combination, combination of something, effective combination

The process of bringing two or more things together.

• Combination of the ingredients takes only a minute.
• The combination of two companies created a larger business.
• Heat is released during the combination of these chemicals.

How to use it: combination of A with B (The combination of this chemical with water releases heat.)

Similar words: joining, combining, fusion

Opposites: separation

Common phrases: combination of something, combination process, chemical combination

A set of numbers or letters entered in the right order to open a lock.

• I forgot the combination.
• Enter the combination to open the lock.
• She changed the safe’s combination after the theft.

How to use it: the combination to/for something (Do you know the combination to this safe?)

Similar words: code

Common phrases: combination lock, forget the combination, enter the combination, safe combination

A selection of items from a group in which their order does not matter.

• Order does not matter in a combination.
• There are ten combinations of two items from a set of five.
• The students used a formula to count the possible combinations.

Common phrases: possible combination, combination formula, combination of items