relationship

American  

[ri-lay-shuhn-ship] / rɪˈleɪ ʃənˌʃɪp /

noun

• relationships
  plural

1. a connection, association, or involvement.

   Synonyms:

   kinship, alliance, dependence

2. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms:

   consanguinity, affinity

3. an emotional or other connection between people.

   the relationship between teachers and students.

4. a sexual involvement; affair.

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relationship British  

/ rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of being connected or related

2. association by blood or marriage; kinship

3. the mutual dealings, connections, or feelings that exist between two parties, countries, people, etc

   a business relationship

4. an emotional or sexual affair or liaison

5. logic maths another name for relation

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Synonym Usage

Relationship, kinship refer to connection with others by blood or by marriage. Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage: relationship to a ruling family. Kinship generally denotes common descent and implies a more intimate connection than relationship: the ties and obligations of kinship.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prerelationship
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• relationships
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of relationship

First recorded in 1735–45; relation + -ship

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Explanation

When you're in a relationship, you're emotionally involved or at least connected in some way. If you're related to somebody — your parents, your aunts and uncles, your cousins — you share a family relationship with them. You can also use relationship to describe dealings between various groups, as “Members of the European Union have a relationship of economic interconnectedness,” or “A lease helps define your relationship with your landlord.” You'll also see relationship used with interactions that don't directly involve people. In many of these cases, the word relation is better. For example, in the sentence "We are always looking at the relationship between ticket price and sales," it would be better to use relation.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relationship relationships

Here’s how to keep that help from hurting your relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Then there was a rupture in the relationship and Musk departed, although they seem to have mended fences.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

The NMC hearing was told Burwood had a longstanding relationship with the woman before she moved into the home in 2018.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

That question takes on even more weight today as Puerto Rico sits in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which Rodriguez believes shifted the relationship between Puerto Ricans on the island and those living stateside.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Maggie had already lost her relationship with Leah.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Khosla’s job description notes the chief of staff will serve as a “thought partner,” evaluating possible investments, working with portfolio companies and building relationships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Traditionally, examining these relationships requires several minutes of brain imaging data.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

"This project is about exploring how nature, creativity and relationships can best support the healthy development of babies and young children," says the princess.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

In English, the models tended to favor more individualistic and analytical responses, while in Chinese, they placed greater emphasis on relationships and broader context.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

He found, for instance, that among 605 notable men who lived between 1453 and 1853, there were 102 familial relationships: one in six of all accomplished men were apparently related.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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Related Words

• accord
• affair
• communication
• contact
• exchange
• liaison
• link
• marriage
• rapport
• relation
• tie

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