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

“We have become really bad at communicating over the things that matter most because we just don’t talk about them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Foreign policy is a type of signaling game that should clearly communicate intentions and consequences.

From Salon

Derry and Strabane Council said the "steer" from elected members of the governance and strategic planning committee last week had been communicated to the DfC and it would be making no further comment.

From BBC

"It will be essential that the new dashboard clearly communicates the information that is most important to patients and that it is as accessible as possible," he said.

From BBC

FireAid also clarified that “a stipulation of the FireAid funds communicated to each grantee that not a single dollar was allowed to be spent on administrative costs to ensure maximum benefit.”

From Los Angeles Times

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