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Synonyms

affiliated

American  
[uh-fil-ee-ey-tid] / əˈfɪl iˌeɪ tɪd /

adjective

  1. being in close formal or informal association; related.

    a letter sent to all affiliated clubs; a radio network and its affiliated local stations.


Other Word Forms

  • nonaffiliated adjective
  • unaffiliated adjective

Etymology

Origin of affiliated

First recorded in 1785–95; affiliate + -ed 2

Explanation

If two things are affiliated, they are closely associated or connected with one another. When you join a cause, you become affiliated with it and what it represents. You learned to choose your battles more carefully after becoming affiliated with the "Save the Pigeons" campaign. Coming from the verb "affiliate," the adjective affiliated shares its history, starting with the Latin stem affiliare, meaning "to adopt." As such, we "adopt" the ideals and goals of groups with which we join and become affiliated. You could be affiliated with a particular church or temple. As a celebrity, you are affiliated with a number of charities. There is also a legal meaning, whereby a mother can affiliate a child, or declare its paternity.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing affiliated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The Rapid Support Forces consider you affiliated with security agencies and accuse you of using it for espionage," he tells the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

During a more than 35-year career, he saw more than 6,000 patients and become the highest-paid physician affiliated with UCLA, according to litigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Collectives are affiliated with, but not run by, the schools.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

However, their affiliated fundraising arms – including those supporting athletics – are set up as separate nonprofit foundations and typically need to apply for and receive that designation.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Teenagers from the North spend two months to two years at Hangyoreh Middle-High School, a government-funded remedial boarding school affiliated with Hanawon.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden