realign

Everyday

1. To put things back into a straight line or the correct position: «realign the wheels of a car». tree →
2. To change your plans, ideas or friendships to fit a new situation: «The country realigned itself with its neighbours.» tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and technology it is used for car wheels, teeth with braces and pictures on a page; in history and news it describes countries and groups changing sides. Phrases: «realign the wheels», «realign with», «realign priorities».

Examples

• The mechanic realigned the car's wheels. tree →
• Braces slowly realign your teeth. tree →
• We realigned the chairs into neat rows. tree →
• After the election some parties realigned with each other. tree →
• The team realigned its goals after losing the first game. tree →
• Realign the ruler with the edge of the paper. tree →

Note

Prefix re- means «again». Noun: realignment. Spelling: re-align (the g is silent: ree-uh-LINE).