associate

[ verb uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-; noun, adjective, uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see- ]

/ verb əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪt, -si-; noun, adjective, əˈsoʊ ʃi ɪt, -ˌeɪt, -si- /

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See synonyms for: associate / associated / associates / associating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.

to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.: Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

to join as a companion, partner, or ally: to associate oneself with a cause.

to unite; combine: coal associated with shale.

verb (used without object), as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.

to enter into union; unite.

to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally: He was accused of associating with known criminals.

to join together as partners or colleagues.

noun

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.

a companion or comrade: my most intimate associates.

a confederate; an accomplice or ally: criminal associates.

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

a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution: an associate of the Royal Academy.

adjective

connected, joined, or related, especially as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility: an associate partner.

having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges: an associate member.

allied; concomitant.

OTHER WORDS FOR associate

1 connect, couple, relate.

See synonyms for associate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR associate

1 distinguish.

7-9 adversary.

See antonyms for associate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of associate

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin associātus “joined to, united with” (past participle of associāre ), equivalent to as- as- + soci- (see social) + -ātus -ate¹; compare Anglo-French associer (verb), associé (noun)

synonym study for associate

7, 8. See acquaintance.

OTHER WORDS FROM associate

as·so·ci·ate·ship, nounre·as·so·ci·ate, verb, re·as·so·ci·at·ed, re·as·so·ci·at·ing.su·per·as·so·ci·ate, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use associate in a sentence

Everyone associates the city of Berkeley with college, but more importantly, it’s where free speech was defended.
Berkeley: A City That Fights for the Rights of All|LGBTQ-Editor|November 20, 2020|No Straight News
Such is the case for Toni Antiporda — a business development associate based in the Philippines.
The Pandemic’s Unlikely Revelation: Closet Offices|Joshua Eferighe|November 17, 2020|Ozy
Even though they were associated with businesses that sometimes don’t get a super positive association.
Capitalism must be saved by capitalists, argue these pioneering ESG investors|kdunn6|November 15, 2020|Fortune
According to Ewald’s analysis, high transmissibility is often associated with lower virulence.
Will the Coronavirus Evolve to Be Less Deadly?|Wendy Orent|November 15, 2020|Singularity Hub

David Hervey is a research associate at Cato’s Project on Poverty and Inequality in California.
San Diego Voters Sent a Clear Message on Housing: They Want More of it|Michael Tanner and David Hervey|November 13, 2020|Voice of San Diego
He receives the occasional visitor, but many of his family and friends fear that associating with him could be dangerous.
This Church Is Reviving the Sanctuary Movement to Shelter Undocumented Immigrants From Deportation|Caitlin Dickson|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It cuts off access to the U.S. financial system for the organization and anyone associating with it.
Hillary's State Department Refused to Brand Boko Haram as Terrorists|Josh Rogin|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Hinves, OSI told Gen. Higby that they recruited Neubauer because she was already associating with a bad crowd.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story|Jacob Siegel|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He reportedly has been associating with a high-ranking member of the Yamaguchi-gumi who is also on the US black list.
The Yakuza Olympics|Jake Adelstein|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, Pepsi became a world-leading brand not on its actual virtues, but by associating it with a better, happier life.
Who Is Fazlullah? The Pakistani Mullah Who Targeted Malala|Michael Daly|November 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A writer has truthfully said in regard to associating the name and use of the plant with the primitive users of it.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The religion associating God with men has visibly weakened or destroyed the ties which unite men.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
They are generally learned men, appreciated by the cultivated classes, and usually associating with the rich and proud.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
As winter is not their season of love, they reap but little advantage from associating.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume VII (of 10)|Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
You run across them accidentally and invariably they are doing something you would never have dreamed of associating them with.
Paris Vistas|Helen Davenport Gibbons

British Dictionary definitions for associate

associate

verb (əˈsəʊʃɪˌeɪt, -sɪ-) (usually foll by with)

(tr) to link or connect in the mind or imaginationto associate Christmas with fun

(intr) to keep company; mix sociallyto associate with writers

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

(tr; usually passive) to consider in conjunction; connectrainfall is associated with humidity

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

(tr; often passive) to express agreement or allow oneself to be connected (with)Bertrand Russell was associated with the peace movement

noun (əˈsəʊʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt, -sɪ-)

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

a companion or friend

something that usually accompanies another thing; concomitanthope is an associate to happiness

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

adjective (əˈsəʊʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt, -sɪ-) (prenominal)

joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; having equal or nearly equal statusan associate director

having partial rights and privileges or subordinate statusan associate member

accompanying; concomitant

Derived forms of associate

associable, adjectiveassociator, nounassociatory, adjectiveassociateship, noun

Word Origin for associate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

associate

OTHER WORDS FOR associate

OPPOSITES FOR associate

Origin of associate

synonym study for associate

OTHER WORDS FROM associate

Words related to associate

How to use associate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for associate

Derived forms of associate

Word Origin for associate