Vocabulary Spotlight

Adjoin

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To be next to or joined with something else.

“Their property adjoins the park, giving them easy access to green space.”

Pronunciation

[uh-join]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Border
Abut
Connect
Neighbor
Touch

Antonyms

Separate
Detach
Divide
Isolate
Distance

Related Words

Adjacent
Join
Contiguous

Word Origin

The word “adjoin” traces back to Middle English, derived from Old French “ajoindre,” meaning “to join.” This, in turn, originates from Latin “adjungere,” where “ad-” means “to” and “jungere” means “to join.”

Word Family

Verb: Adjoin – To be next to or in contact with.

Noun: Adjoining – Something that is next to or adjacent.

Mnemonics

Think of “ad” (toward) + “join” – to join next to something or be adjacent.

Industry-specific Usage

Real Estate

Properties that adjoin popular landmarks or parks are often more valuable due to their proximity.

Architecture

Architects must consider the design of structures that adjoin each other to ensure visual and structural harmony.

Urban Planning

Adjoining areas in urban planning need careful zoning to avoid conflicts in land use.

In Context

Adjoining properties or spaces are common in urban settings where proximity allows for shared resources and close community interactions. Adjoining is also useful in contexts like construction, where infrastructure planning must account for what’s next to the building site.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which word is a synonym of “Adjoin”?

Border
Separate
Distance
Disconnect

“Border” is a synonym of “adjoin,” as both suggest being next to or adjacent to something.

2. Fill in the blank: The library ______ the park, making it a peaceful place to study.

isolates
separates
adjoins
divides

“Adjoins” is correct because it implies being next to, which makes sense in the sentence context.

3. Where might you find the term “adjoin” used?

Astronomy reports
Medical diagnoses
Recipes
Real estate listings

Real estate listings often use “adjoin” to describe properties next to landmarks or specific locations.