relate

[ri-leyt]

verb (used with object)

related, relating 

1. to tell; give an account of (an event, circumstance, etc.).

   Synonyms: repeat, detail, delineate, narrate

2. to bring into or establish association, connection, or relation.

   to relate events to probable causes.

   Synonyms: ally
   Antonyms: dissociate

verb (used without object)

related, relating 

1. to have reference (often followed byto ).

2. to have some relation (often followed byto ).

3. to establish a social or sympathetic relationship with a person or thing.

   two sisters unable to relate to each other.

relate

/ rɪˈleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to tell or narrate (a story, information, etc)

2. (often foll by to) to establish association (between two or more things) or (of something) to have relation or reference (to something else)

3. to form a sympathetic or significant relationship (with other people, things, etc)

Other Word Forms

• relatable adjective
• relater noun
• misrelate verb
• prerelate verb (used with object)
• unrelating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relate¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin relātus, past participle of referre “to carry back” ( refer )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relate¹

C16: from Latin relātus brought back, from referre to carry back, from _re- + ferre to bear; see _refer

Synonym Study

Relate, recite, recount, rehearse mean to tell, report, or describe in some detail an occurrence or circumstance. To relate is to give an account of happenings, events, circumstances, etc.: to relate one's adventures. To recite may mean to give details consecutively, but more often applies to the repetition from memory of something learned with verbal exactness: to recite a poem. To recount is usually to set forth consecutively the details of an occurrence, argument, experience, etc., to give an account in detail: to recount an unpleasant experience. Rehearse implies some formality and exactness in telling, sometimes with repeated performance as for practice before final delivery: to rehearse one's side of a story.

Example Sentences

Union leader David Huerta pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice related to a confrontation with immigration officials during a raid this summer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I think that’s the mistake that some people might make, which is, “Oh, I have to keep things very general, very expected. How can anyone relate to my characters if they’re not like they are?”

Read more on Salon

In a related move, the new exchange is acquiring MIAXdx, a business that clears and executes derivatives trades.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That, and other shutdown related items, reduced outlays for October by less than 5%, according to a senior Treasury official.

Read more on Barron's

The rise of the “rat people” may ultimately be a temporary response to economic pressures, or it may mark the beginning of longer-term shifts in how young Chinese relate to work, ambition and spending.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• affect 
• apply 
• ascribe 
• assign 
• associate 
• compare 
• concern 
• connect 
• link 
• pertain 
• refer