Advertisement

View synonyms for associate

associate

[ verb uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-; noun adjective uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see- ]

verb (used with object)

, as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.
  1. to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.:

    Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

    Synonyms: relate, couple, connect

    Antonyms: distinguish

  2. to join as a companion, partner, or ally:

    to associate oneself with a cause.

  3. to unite; combine:

    coal associated with shale.



verb (used without object)

, as·so·ci·at·ed, as·so·ci·at·ing.
  1. to enter into union; unite.
  2. to keep company, as a friend, companion, or ally:

    He was accused of associating with known criminals.

  3. to join together as partners or colleagues.

noun

  1. a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker:

    He consulted with his associates before proceeding further.

    Antonyms: adversary

  2. a companion or comrade:

    my most intimate associates.

    Antonyms: adversary

  3. a confederate; an accomplice or ally:

    criminal associates.

    Antonyms: adversary

  4. anything usually accompanying or associated with another; an accompaniment or concomitant.
  5. a person who is admitted to a subordinate degree of membership in an association or institution:

    an associate of the Royal Academy.

adjective

  1. connected, joined, or related, especially as a companion or colleague; having equal or nearly equal responsibility:

    an associate partner.

  2. having subordinate status; without full rights and privileges:

    an associate member.

associate

verb

  1. tr to link or connect in the mind or imagination

    to associate Christmas with fun

  2. intr to keep company; mix socially

    to associate with writers

  3. intr to form or join an association, group, etc
  4. tr; usually passive to consider in conjunction; connect

    rainfall is associated with humidity

  5. tr to bring (a person, esp oneself) into friendship, partnership, etc
  6. tr; often passive to express agreement or allow oneself to be connected (with)

    Bertrand Russell was associated with the peace movement

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; partner; colleague
  2. a companion or friend
  3. something that usually accompanies another thing; concomitant

    hope is an associate to happiness

  4. a person having a subordinate position in or admitted to only partial membership of an institution, association, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. joined with another or others in an enterprise, business, etc; having equal or nearly equal status

    an associate director

  2. having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status

    an associate member

  3. accompanying; concomitant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • asˈsociˌator, noun
  • asˈsociatory, adjective
  • asˈsociable, adjective
  • asˈsociateˌship, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • as·so·ci·ate·ship noun
  • re·as·so·ci·ate verb reassociated reassociating
  • su·per·as·so·ci·ate noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin associātus “joined to, united with” (past participle of associāre ), equivalent to as- as- + soci- ( social ) + -ātus -ate 1; compare Anglo-French associer (verb), associé (noun)
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate1

C14: from Latin associāre to ally with, from sociāre to join, from socius an ally
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

For example, genes associated with traits that allowed early Europeans to produce vitamin D and digest milk into adulthood showed strong signs of selection, but only in the most recent time periods.

Kim added this investigation further supported previous research which found that residing in states with high-quality education as a child is associated with lower dementia risk later in life.

Being on the medications for a longer period of time and eating more vegetables were associated with less food waste.

Boycott companies associated with him and his allies?

From Salon

Unfortunately, this feeling is often associated with insoluble dietary fibers.

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Associate

What does associate mean?

An associate is a person who shares in business as a partner, stakeholder, or colleague.

To associate is to connect or relate multiple things together.

The noun form of associate, pronounced uh-soh-shee-it, often refers to a business partner but can also be used more generally to describe a friend or even an acquaintance.

Associate is also used to describe more sinister partnerships, such as an accomplice in a crime or a member of a gang or crime organization.

The verb form, pronounced uh-soh-shee-eyt, can be used to mean to connect or unite people. When you associate yourself with someone else, you may be working with them, you may be friends or romantic partners, or you may even be a customer. People who are associated will often be discussed in a pair or group.

Associate can also mean to connect or relate, as with objects and feelings or memories. For example, you may associate naan with your grandmother who used to make this bread whenever you visited. Or you may associate a favorite book with the memory of a teacher who introduced you to the book.

Example: I always associate gingerbread with the holidays, but it’s good all year round.

Where does associate come from?

The first records of the term associate come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin associātus, meaning “joined to” or “united.” Joining or uniting multiple parts is how you can associate two or more people or things.

In the United States and several other countries, university professors operate on a tenure track system that includes the rank of associate professor. An associate professor will have significantly more responsibilities than an entry-level assistant professor but will not have the decision-making power and security of a full professor.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to associate?

  • associated (adjective, verb)
  • associateship (noun)
  • reassociate (verb)
  • unassociated (adjective)

What are some synonyms for associate?

What are some words that share a root or word element with associate?

What are some words that often get used in discussing associate?

How is associate used in real life?

Associate is most commonly used to talk about the connections we have with objects, memories and feelings, or other people.

 

Try using associate!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for associate?

A. partner
B. enemy
C. colleague
D. fellow

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


associableassociated