relate

[ri-leyt]

verb (used with object)

related, relating 

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)

related, relating 

1. to have reference (often followed byto ).

2. to have some relation (often followed byto ).

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. to form a sympathetic or significant relationship (with other people, things, etc)

Other Word Forms

• relatable adjective
• relater noun
• misrelate verb
• prerelate verb (used with object)
• unrelating 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

Meanwhile, four other legal actions related to the campaign of abuse were adjourned until later this week.

From BBC

Los Angeles artist Ken Gonzales-Day has harnessed the power of artistic erasure in a related — if very different — way.

From Los Angeles Times

County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 voted to immediately suspend any work related to seismically retrofitting the skyscraper.

From Los Angeles Times

Norfolk Police said no drugs were found at the house but equipment relating to the production of cannabis was present.

From BBC

A lack of incentives for law enforcement to document crimes related to misogyny also contributes to the problem being invisible in national security contexts.

From Salon

Related Words

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