free association
Americannoun
noun
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psychoanal a method of exploring a person's unconscious by eliciting words and thoughts that are associated with key words provided by a psychoanalyst
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a spontaneous mental process whereby ideas, words, or images suggest other ideas, etc, in a nonlogical chain reaction
Etymology
Origin of free association
First recorded in 1895–1900
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.
His fusion of speaking and singing allows him to ramble as he embraces absurdity, non sequiturs and free association with a stand-up comic’s sense of timing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026
The compacts of free association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau were negotiated to resolve a specific historical reality.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026
The self-governing Cook Islands remain in "free association" with former colonial ruler New Zealand, which is still involved in areas such as defence and foreign affairs.
From Barron's ● Dec. 2, 2025
UN rights chief Volker Turk "renews his call on security forces to desist from unnecessary force and to uphold the rights to free association and peaceful assembly," it said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025
He also discussed in detail the pertinent aspects of our therapy sessions—especially my changing attitudes toward free association on the couch.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
