associative

[ uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv, -see-, -shuh-tiv ]

See synonyms for associative on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to or resulting from association.
tending to associate or unite.

Mathematics, Logic.
- (of an operation on a set of elements) giving an equivalent expression when elements are grouped without change of order, as (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).
- having reference to this property: associative law of multiplication.

Origin of associative

First recorded in 1805–15; associate + -ive

Other words from associative

as·so·ci·a·tive·ly [uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv-lee, -uh-tiv-, -see-], /əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪ tɪv li, -ə tɪv-, -si-/, adverb
as·so·ci·a·tiv·i·ty [uh-soh-shee-uh-tiv-i-tee, -see-, -shuh-tiv-], /əˌsoʊ ʃi əˈtɪv ɪ ti, -si-, -ʃəˈtɪv-/, as·so·ci·a·tive·ness, noun
non·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
non·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb
sub·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
sub·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb
un·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
un·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby associative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use associative in a sentence

Who is Friedman's source (and, by the associative property, Shapiro's)?
Hagel Tied To Junior League of Hezbollah | Ali Gharib | February 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Certain professors see a chance to benefit from this associative taint.
The Professor of Hip-Hop: Adam Bradley’s Poetic Mission | Nick Romeo | September 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
So, you know, I think the other thing…I think we suffered quite a few associative attacks from Obama.
Closing Remarks from McCain Aide Mark Salter | Ana Marie Cox | November 4, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
I mean, instead, a mind that is thoughtful, curious, with a discernable pattern of associative thinking and insight.
Sarah Palin's a Brainiac | Elaine Lafferty | October 27, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
Thus, the thinking of primitive man is almost exclusively associative.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm Wundt

By one of those associative reversals which are common in the field of mythology, this then reacted upon the corpse itself.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm Wundt
The element of associative suggestion also enters into the manifestation of sthetic emotional feeling.
Your Mind and How to Use It | William Walker Atkinson
The utility of smell would be great because it is accurate, and hence powerful in its associative quality.
Criminal Psychology | Hans Gross
We say nothing here of Relative or associative Beauty,this has never been doubted either in its essence or its value.
Spare Hours | John Brown

British Dictionary definitions for associative

associative

/ (əˈsəʊʃɪətɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or causing association or union
maths logic
- being independent of the grouping of numbers, symbols, or terms within a given set, as in conjunction or in an expression such as (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
- referring to this property: the associative laws of arithmetic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for associative

associative

[ ə-sō′shə-tĭv ]

Of or relating to the property of an operation, such as addition or multiplication, which states that the grouping of numbers undergoing the operation does not change the result. For example, 3 + (4 + 5) is equal to (3 + 4) + 5. See also commutative distributive.

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