relate

[ ri-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·lat·ed, re·lat·ing.

1. to tell; give an account of (an event, circumstance, etc.).

   Synonyms: repeat, detail, delineate, narrate

2. to bring into or establish association, connection, or relation:

   to relate events to probable causes.

   Synonyms: ally

   Antonyms: dissociate

verb (used without object)

, re·lat·ed, re·lat·ing.

1. to have reference (often followed by to ).
2. to have some relation (often followed by to ).
3. to establish a social or sympathetic relationship with a person or thing:

   two sisters unable to relate to each other.

relate

/ rɪˈleɪt /

verb

1. tr to tell or narrate (a story, information, etc)
2. often foll by to to establish association (between two or more things) or (of something) to have relation or reference (to something else)
3. introften foll byto to form a sympathetic or significant relationship (with other people, things, etc)

Derived Forms

• reˈlatable, adjective
• reˈlater, noun

Other Words From

• re·lat·a·ble adjective
• re·lat·er noun
• mis·re·late verb misrelated misrelating
• pre·re·late verb (used with object) prerelated prerelating
• un·re·lat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relate¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin relātus, past participle of referre “to carry back” ( refer )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relate¹

C16: from Latin relātus brought back, from referre to carry back, from re- + ferre to bear; see refer

Synonym Study

Relate, recite, recount, rehearse mean to tell, report, or describe in some detail an occurrence or circumstance. To relate is to give an account of happenings, events, circumstances, etc.: to relate one's adventures. To recite may mean to give details consecutively, but more often applies to the repetition from memory of something learned with verbal exactness: to recite a poem. To recount is usually to set forth consecutively the details of an occurrence, argument, experience, etc., to give an account in detail: to recount an unpleasant experience. Rehearse implies some formality and exactness in telling, sometimes with repeated performance as for practice before final delivery: to rehearse one's side of a story.

Example Sentences

Unsurprisingly many of the prized lots relate to the Second World War.

From The Daily Beast

I am not remotely embarrassed to relate he weighed just 9lb.

From The Daily Beast

That the song has become so indelible is likely owed to the fact that we can all sort of relate.

From The Daily Beast

The most important signals in the new cabinet thus far relate to the Kurds.

From The Daily Beast

We were drawn to music from the outside, so we are able to relate to the outside world.

From The Daily Beast

In this depraved state of mind he arrived at Perpignan, where that befell him which I am about to relate.

From Project Gutenberg

I have dared to relate this to your Majesty because of my zeal as a loyal vassal, and as one who looks at things dispassionately.

From Project Gutenberg

The tall policeman was an artist at the work; but it nearly brought him to a tragic end, as I will relate.

From Project Gutenberg

So that (wonderful to relate) they had no sickness, although there was sufficient cause for it in the privations they suffered.

From Project Gutenberg

This did not relate to the boilers; Trevithick unfortunately did not take out a patent for that improvement.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affect
• apply
• ascribe
• assign
• associate
• compare
• concern
• connect
• link
• pertain
• refer