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

Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, survived the lunch after recovering from a coma and has ongoing health issues related to the poisoning.

From BBC

He was reunited with Rosa and Mariana, after DNA tests confirmed they were related.

From BBC

His disease has targeted his frontal lobes, which manage social behavior, emotional regulation, impulse control, planning and working memory — essentially, everything a person needs to relate to others.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Vatican said such blessings should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.

From BBC

"I urge anyone who has information relating to either incident to contact us as soon as possible".

From BBC

Related Words

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