associate

[uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-, uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see-]

verb (used with object)

associated, associating 

1. to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc..

   Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

   Synonyms: relate, couple, connect
   Antonyms: distinguish

2. to join as a companion, partner, or ally.

   to associate oneself with a cause.

3. to unite; combine.

   coal associated with shale.

verb (used without object)

associated, associating 

1. to enter into union; unite.

2. to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally.

   He was accused of associating with known criminals.

3. to join together as partners or colleagues.

noun

1. a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker.

   He consulted with his associates before proceeding further.

   Antonyms: adversary

2. a companion or comrade.

   my most intimate associates.

   Antonyms: adversary

3. a confederate; an accomplice or ally.

   criminal associates.

   Antonyms: adversary

4. anything usually accompanying or associated with another; an accompaniment or concomitant.

5. a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution.

   an associate of the Royal Academy.

adjective

1. connected, joined, or related, especially as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility.

   an associate partner.

2. having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges.

   an associate member.

3. allied; concomitant.

associate

verb

1. (tr) to link or connect in the mind or imagination

   to associate Christmas with fun

2. (intr) to keep company; mix socially

   to associate with writers

3. (intr) to form or join an association, group, etc

4. (tr; usually passive) to consider in conjunction; connect

   rainfall is associated with humidity

5. (tr) to bring (a person, esp oneself) into friendship, partnership, etc

6. (tr; often passive) to express agreement or allow oneself to be connected (with)

   Bertrand Russell was associated with the peace movement

noun

1. a person joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; partner; colleague

2. a companion or friend

3. something that usually accompanies another thing; concomitant

   hope is an associate to happiness

4. a person having a subordinate position in or admitted to only partial membership of an institution, association, etc

adjective

1. joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; having equal or nearly equal status

   an associate director

2. having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status

   an associate member

3. accompanying; concomitant

Other Word Forms

• associator noun
• associatory adjective
• associable adjective
• associateship noun
• reassociate verb
• superassociate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin associātus “joined to, united with” (past participle of associāre ), equivalent to as- as- + soci- ( social ) + -ātus -ate ¹; compare Anglo-French associer (verb), associé (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate¹

C14: from Latin associāre to ally with, from sociāre to join, from socius an ally

Synonym Study

See acquaintance.

Example Sentences

Speaking to reporters after the merger, David Ellison, whose track record of political giving shows contributions to Democrats last year, said he wanted to avoid being associated with either the left or the right.

From BBC

Steven Lyons and an associate, Robert Pickett, were injured in the ambush, which was later described in court as "like a scene out of The Godfather".

From BBC

A political get together, a party conference for the politicians, members, and associated hangers-on, would never transform a prime minister's fortunes with the public overnight.

From BBC

The speech was rooted in “an American First foreign policy,” observed Paul Poast, an associate professor of political science at the University of Chicago and a nonresident fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

From Salon

“This year’s data is showing a decline in copying off a peer and it seems there is more use of AI instead,” said Lee, an associate professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplice 
• ally 
• assistant 
• buddy 
• co-worker 
• cohort 
• collaborator 
• companion 
• comrade 
• crony 
• fellow 
• friend 
• partner 

When To Use

What does associate mean?

An associate is a person who shares in business as a partner, stakeholder, or colleague.To associate is to connect or relate multiple things together.The noun form of associate, pronounced uh-soh-shee-it, often refers to a business partner but can also be used more generally to describe a friend or even an acquaintance.Associate is also used to describe more sinister partnerships, such as an accomplice in a crime or a member of a gang or crime organization.The verb form, pronounced uh-soh-shee-eyt, can be used to mean to connect or unite people. When you associate yourself with someone else, you may be working with them, you may be friends or romantic partners, or you may even be a customer. People who are associated will often be discussed in a pair or group.Associate can also mean to connect or relate, as with objects and feelings or memories. For example, you may associate naan with your grandmother who used to make this bread whenever you visited. Or you may associate a favorite book with the memory of a teacher who introduced you to the book.Example: I always associate gingerbread with the holidays, but it’s good all year round.