associate

[ verb uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-; noun adjective uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see- ]

verb (used with object)

, as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.

1. to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.:

   Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

   Synonyms: relate, couple, connect

   Antonyms: distinguish

2. to join as a companion, partner, or ally:

   to associate oneself with a cause.

3. to unite; combine:

   coal associated with shale.

verb (used without object)

, as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.

1. to enter into union; unite.
2. to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally:

   He was accused of associating with known criminals.

3. to join together as partners or colleagues.

noun

1. a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker:

   He consulted with his associates before proceeding further.

   Antonyms: adversary

2. a companion or comrade:

   my most intimate associates.

   Antonyms: adversary

3. a confederate; an accomplice or ally:

   criminal associates.

   Antonyms: adversary

4. anything usually accompanying or associated with another; an accompaniment or concomitant.
5. a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution:

   an associate of the Royal Academy.

adjective

1. connected, joined, or related, especially as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility:

   an associate partner.

2. having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges:

   an associate member.

3. allied; concomitant.

associate

verb

1. tr to link or connect in the mind or imagination

   to associate Christmas with fun

2. intr to keep company; mix socially

   to associate with writers

3. intr to form or join an association, group, etc
4. tr; usually passive to consider in conjunction; connect

   rainfall is associated with humidity

5. tr to bring (a person, esp oneself) into friendship, partnership, etc
6. tr; often passive to express agreement or allow oneself to be connected (with)

   Bertrand Russell was associated with the peace movement

noun

1. a person joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; partner; colleague
2. a companion or friend
3. something that usually accompanies another thing; concomitant

   hope is an associate to happiness

4. a person having a subordinate position in or admitted to only partial membership of an institution, association, etc

adjective

1. joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; having equal or nearly equal status

   an associate director

2. having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status

   an associate member

3. accompanying; concomitant

Derived Forms

• asˈsociˌator, noun
• asˈsociatory, adjective
• asˈsociable, adjective
• asˈsociateˌship, noun

Other Words From

• as·so·ci·ate·ship noun
• re·as·so·ci·ate verb reassociated reassociating
• su·per·as·so·ci·ate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin associātus “joined to, united with” (past participle of associāre ), equivalent to as- as- + soci- ( social ) + -ātus -ate ¹; compare Anglo-French associer (verb), associé (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate¹

C14: from Latin associāre to ally with, from sociāre to join, from socius an ally

Synonym Study

See acquaintance.

Example Sentences

Authorities have confirmed the words "deny", "defend" and "depose" were written on the bullet casings found close to the victim's body - language which could be associated with critics of the US's private health insurance industry.

From BBC

There have been no known outbreaks associated with that raw milk, and it is unclear if people can get the disease by consuming it in milk.

From Los Angeles Times

The South Korean premier sparked widespread shock and anger when he declared military rule - associated with authoritarianism in the country - on Tuesday, in a bid to break out of a political stalemate.

From BBC

"The vast majority of Koreans appreciate democracy enormously and regret the authoritarianism of the post-war period," said Mason Richey, associate professor of international politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul.

From BBC

Half of adult chimpanzees appeared to associate actions that were much further along the sequence than expected if actions were simply being linked together one-by-one.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• combine
• correlate
• identify
• join
• link
• mix
• relate