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

Some of California’s problems are related to challenges in the state’s marquee industries.

Read more on MarketWatch

A grand jury in Carroll County, Md., indicted the spouses Thursday on “multiple counts related to fraud,” the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The release of this and several related documents had previously been blocked by government officials due to concerns about the impact on UK-US relations.

Read more on BBC

The document was agreed after negotiations in Egypt over the first phase of the plan, related to a ceasefire, a hostage and prisoner exchange, and a surge in humanitarian aid.

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By identifying the enzymes responsible for assembling and shaping mitraphylline, the researchers have established a framework for producing this and related compounds more efficiently and sustainably.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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