v. 1
To twist (a string, rope, or the like) around itself securely.
Tie the rope to this tree.
v. 2
To form (a knot or the like) in a string or the like.
Tie a knot in this rope for me, please.
n. 1
A knot; a fastening.
n. 2
A knot of hair, as at the back of a wig.

Related words

Word family: tie-down tie-up tie-a-leaf tieback tie-dye tie-in tier
Phrases: tie-in bolo tie cable tie white tie tie-up hair tie tie-down tie tack

Forms

Plural: ties → tie-ups, connections, associations, affiliations…
Past participle: tied
e.g. tied → fastened, knotted, attached, strapped…

Choose the right word

Tie, Bind, Fasten or Ties?

We bind a sheaf of wheat with a cord; we tie the cord in a knot; we fasten by any means that will make things hold together, as a board by nails, or a door by a lock. The verbs tie and fasten are scarcely used in the figurative sense, tho, using the noun, we speak of the ties of affection.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

bind I'm forever lost, can't you see? I'm in a bind!
attach You need to attach a white garter belt underneath.
knot The famous Gordian Knot was cut with a sword blow.
fasten If you turn around, I'll fasten your dress for you.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
tie		steady
bind		rising
attach		steady
knot		rising
fasten		steady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: wed¹
4 letters: join¹, link¹, band¹, draw¹, mary², bond¹, rope¹, bind¹, lace¹, knot¹, lash¹, yoke¹
5 letters: dress¹, unite², strap¹, nexus², leash¹, hitch¹
6 letters: couple², secure², attach², fasten², tether², splice¹, fetter²
7 letters: connect², sleeper², shackle², conjoin², manacle
8 letters: ligament³, ligature, vinculum
9 letters: fastening³
10 letters: connection³
11 letters: association⁵, affiliation⁵

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (mary² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: lier
Italiano: legare
Español: ligar
Deutsch: binden
Català: lligar