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.

3. allied; concomitant.

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

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

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

Derived Forms

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

Other Words From

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

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of associate¹

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

Synonym Study

See acquaintance.

Example Sentences

He was both an old associate of Tanton’s and a leading proponent of the great replacement theory.

From Salon

Act leader Seymour - who is also New Zealand's associate justice minister - argues that because the principles have never been properly defined legally, the courts "have been able to develop principles that have been used to justify actions that are contrary to the principle of equal rights".

From BBC

He previously served as associate White House counsel in the Obama administration and is a class of 2023 MacArthur fellow.

From Slate

Research, though largely correlational, has shown that heavy exposure to screens at early ages is associated with inattention and impulsive behaviors, said Drew Cingel, an associate professor in UC Davis’ communication department who directs the university’s human development and media lab.

From Los Angeles Times

In August 2023, the declaration said, a suspect in the Mexican Mafia case sent a screenshot of the officer’s “Watch the Watchers” photo to a suspected gang associate asking whether they knew who the officer was.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• combine
• correlate
• identify
• join
• link
• mix
• relate