communicate

[kuh-myoo-ni-keyt]

verb (used with object)

communicated, communicating 

1. to impart knowledge of; make known.

   to communicate information;

   to communicate one's happiness.

   Synonyms: reveal, disclose, announce, divulge
   Antonyms: conceal, withhold

2. to give to another; impart; transmit.

   to communicate a disease.

3. to administer the Eucharist to.

4. Archaic.,  to share in or partake of.

verb (used without object)

communicated, communicating 

1. to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like, by writing, speaking, etc..

   They communicate with each other every day.

2. to express thoughts, feelings, or information easily or effectively.

3. to be joined or connected.

   The rooms communicated by means of a hallway.

4. to partake of the Eucharist.

5. Obsolete.,  to take part or participate.

communicate

/ kəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to impart (knowledge) or exchange (thoughts, feelings, or ideas) by speech, writing, gestures, etc

2. to allow (a feeling, emotion, etc) to be sensed (by), willingly or unwillingly; transmit (to)

   the dog communicated his fear to the other animals

3. (intr) to have a sympathetic mutual understanding

4. to make or have a connecting passage or route; connect

5. (tr) to transmit (a disease); infect

6. (intr) Christianity to receive or administer Communion

Other Word Forms

• communicatory adjective
• communicator noun
• noncommunicating adjective
• overcommunicate verb
• precommunicate verb
• uncommunicating adjective
• well-communicated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin commūnicātus “imparted,” past participle of commūnicāre “to impart, make common,” equivalent to commūn(is) common + -icāre, verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

C16: from Latin commūnicāre to share, from commūnis _common

Synonym Study

Communicate, impart denote giving to a person or thing a part or share of something, now usually something immaterial, as knowledge, thoughts, hopes, qualities, or properties. Communicate, the more common word, implies often an indirect or gradual transmission: to communicate information by means of letters, telegrams, etc.; to communicate one's wishes to someone else. Impart usually implies directness of action: to impart information.

Example Sentences

After speaking to the Labour Party in the U.K. last year, for example, he talked on a podcast about how he’s learned to communicate his concerns to government leaders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Huerta and other protesters “appeared to be communicating with each other in a concerted effort to disrupt the law enforcement operations,” a federal agent wrote in the complaint.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She can only communicate through blinking, saying "yes" or "no", but also working with a therapist is now able to use an electronic communicator to say a few words.

Read more on BBC

But when reports linking Horner to the team first emerged in the summer, Ferrari used channels to communicate to the media that there was no truth in the claim.

Read more on BBC

In the most dramatic cases, people who have been unable to communicate or even recognize their spouses or children for years suddenly become alert and exhibit their former personalities, complete with reminiscences and incisive questions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advertise 
• broadcast 
• connect 
• contact 
• convey 
• correspond 
• disclose 
• disseminate 
• get across 
• get through 
• impart 
• inform 
• interact 
• pass on 
• publicize 
• reach out www.thesaurus.com
• relate 
• reveal 
• suggest 
• tell