communicate

[kuh-myoo-ni-keyt]

verb (used with object)

communicated, communicating 

1. to impart knowledge of; make known.

   to communicate information;

   to communicate one's happiness.

   Synonyms: reveal, disclose, announce, divulge
   Antonyms: conceal, withhold

2. to give to another; impart; transmit.

   to communicate a disease.

3. to administer the Eucharist to.

4. Archaic.,  to share in or partake of.

verb (used without object)

communicated, communicating 

1. to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like, by writing, speaking, etc..

   They communicate with each other every day.

2. to express thoughts, feelings, or information easily or effectively.

3. to be joined or connected.

   The rooms communicated by means of a hallway.

4. to partake of the Eucharist.

5. Obsolete.,  to take part or participate.

communicate

/ kəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to impart (knowledge) or exchange (thoughts, feelings, or ideas) by speech, writing, gestures, etc

2. to allow (a feeling, emotion, etc) to be sensed (by), willingly or unwillingly; transmit (to)

   the dog communicated his fear to the other animals

3. (intr) to have a sympathetic mutual understanding

4. to make or have a connecting passage or route; connect

5. (tr) to transmit (a disease); infect

6. (intr) Christianity to receive or administer Communion

Other Word Forms

• noncommunicating adjective
• overcommunicate verb
• precommunicate verb
• uncommunicating adjective
• well-communicated adjective
• communicatory adjective
• communicator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin commūnicātus “imparted,” past participle of commūnicāre “to impart, make common,” equivalent to commūn(is) common + -icāre, verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

C16: from Latin commūnicāre to share, from commūnis _common

Synonym Study

Communicate, impart denote giving to a person or thing a part or share of something, now usually something immaterial, as knowledge, thoughts, hopes, qualities, or properties. Communicate, the more common word, implies often an indirect or gradual transmission: to communicate information by means of letters, telegrams, etc.; to communicate one's wishes to someone else. Impart usually implies directness of action: to impart information.

Example Sentences

Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, agrees that Conservatives had to "communicate in a way they want to consume the information".

From BBC

“Right now he’s having a real difficult time communicating because of the large gash on his face. It affected his jaw, tongue and mouth.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added that he would communicate the views expressed during the meeting to the school’s board of trustees.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeffries added that Republican leaders have stopped communicating with Democrats and accused them of negotiating in bad faith.

From BBC

"We need to start to pull our socks up... start to communicate better and start to outline what a positive Conservative Party can deliver for this country."

From BBC

Related Words

• advertise 
• broadcast 
• connect 
• contact 
• convey 
• correspond 
• disclose 
• disseminate 
• get across 
• get through 
• impart 
• inform 
• interact 
• pass on 
• publicize 
• reach out www.thesaurus.com
• relate 
• reveal 
• suggest 
• tell