VocabauraVOCABAURA

tandem

noun · adverb · adjective

Simple meaning

A group of two or more machines, people, etc., working together.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

tanduhm

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈtændəm

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. figurativecountable

    A group of two or more machines, people, etc., working together; hence (uncountable), close collaboration.

  2. figurativeuncountableeducation

    A method of language learning based on mutual exchange, where ideally each learner is a native speaker in the language the other person wants to learn.

  3. by extensioncountable

    A thing with two components arranged one behind the other.

  4. by extensioncountable

    Two draught animals (generally draught horses) harnessed one behind the other.

  5. An arrangement of two or more objects or persons one behind another

  6. A bicycle with two sets of pedals and two seats

adverb

  1. figurative

    In close collaboration; collaboratively, cooperatively.

  2. One behind the other; in single file.

adjective

  1. figurative

    Working together collaboratively; collaborative, cooperative.

  2. With two components arranged one behind the other.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
Frequency
Moderately Common
Typical Use
Neutral / general English

More ways to use tandem

  • “The couple rode a tandem bicycle, with one person pedaling behind the other.”noun

Share your sentence

Write your own example sentence using “tandem”. We review each one before it appears.

Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

tandem repeattandem massshort tandemtandem duplicationtwo tandemtandem compoundnumber tandemtandem accelerator

Tap the highlighted word to open its own entry.

Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • tandem bicyclenounCompound term

    A bicycle with two sets of pedals and two seats.

  • tandem trailernounCompound term

    Trucking rig with two trailers in tandem.

  • in tandemadverbCompound term

    One behind the other.

Ask Vocabaura

Understand the word your way.

What Does It Mean Here?

Words can change meaning depending on context.

Use it yourself

Keep learning “tandem” by choosing the kind of practice you need next.

Want to type words like this one without looking at the keyboard? Each typing round draws from words you've learned, saved or need to review. Follow the free Learn to Type lessons and type your own vocabulary with confidence.

Know the meaning? Practice vocabulary in real situations.

Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.