communicate

[ kuh-myoo-ni-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, com·mu·ni·cat·ed, com·mu·ni·cat·ing.

1. to impart knowledge of; make known:

   to communicate information;

   to communicate one's happiness.

   Synonyms: reveal, disclose, announce, divulge

   Antonyms: conceal, withhold

2. to give to another; impart; transmit:

   to communicate a disease.

3. to administer the Eucharist to.
4. Archaic. to share in or partake of.

verb (used without object)

, com·mu·ni·cat·ed, com·mu·ni·cat·ing.

1. to give or interchange thoughts, feelings, information, or the like, by writing, speaking, etc.:

   They communicate with each other every day.

2. to express thoughts, feelings, or information easily or effectively.
3. to be joined or connected:

   The rooms communicated by means of a hallway.

4. to partake of the Eucharist.
5. Obsolete. to take part or participate.

communicate

/ kəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to impart (knowledge) or exchange (thoughts, feelings, or ideas) by speech, writing, gestures, etc
2. trusually foll byto to allow (a feeling, emotion, etc) to be sensed (by), willingly or unwillingly; transmit (to)

   the dog communicated his fear to the other animals

3. intr to have a sympathetic mutual understanding
4. intrusually foll bywith to make or have a connecting passage or route; connect
5. tr to transmit (a disease); infect
6. intr Christianity to receive or administer Communion

Derived Forms

• comˈmunicatory, adjective
• comˈmuniˌcator, noun

Other Words From

• noncom·muni·cating adjective
• over·com·muni·cate verb overcommunicated overcommunicating
• precom·muni·cate verb precommunicated precommunicating
• uncom·muni·cating adjective
• well-com·muni·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin commūnicātus “imparted,” past participle of commūnicāre “to impart, make common,” equivalent to commūn(is) common + -icāre, verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of communicate¹

C16: from Latin commūnicāre to share, from commūnis common

Synonym Study

Communicate, impart denote giving to a person or thing a part or share of something, now usually something immaterial, as knowledge, thoughts, hopes, qualities, or properties. Communicate, the more common word, implies often an indirect or gradual transmission: to communicate information by means of letters, telegrams, etc.; to communicate one's wishes to someone else. Impart usually implies directness of action: to impart information.

Example Sentences

For example, when China banned TV shows depicting same-sex kissing or hand-holding in 2016, producers found they could use shots of eye contact between characters to communicate intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC attempted to make contact with Ticket Maestro using the email address it had used to communicate with customers but it bounced back.

From BBC

NatWest Group has blocked messaging services WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Skype on company devices in the UK to stop staff using them to communicate with each other.

From BBC

She said creating the society created a space where Scottish students could communicate their experiences.

From BBC

Though she worked hard to approximate Marley’s manner of speaking and vocal qualities, in researching Marley and spending time with her, Lynch zeroed in the effect Marley had on those around her and how powerfully she could communicate nonverbally.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advertise
• broadcast
• connect
• contact
• convey
• correspond
• disclose
• disseminate
• get across
• get through
• impart
• inform
• interact
• pass on
• publicize
• reach out
• relate
• reveal
• suggest
• tell