relationship

[ ri-ley-shuhn-ship ]

noun

1. a connection, association, or involvement.

   Synonyms: kinship, alliance, dependence

2. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms: consanguinity, affinity

3. an emotional or other connection between people:

   the relationship between teachers and students.

4. a sexual involvement; affair.

relationship

/ rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of being connected or related
2. association by blood or marriage; kinship
3. the mutual dealings, connections, or feelings that exist between two parties, countries, people, etc

   a business relationship

4. an emotional or sexual affair or liaison
5. logic maths another name for relation

Other Words From

• prere·lation·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relationship¹

First recorded in 1735–45; relation + -ship

Synonym Study

Relationship, kinship refer to connection with others by blood or by marriage. Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage: relationship to a ruling family. Kinship generally denotes common descent and implies a more intimate connection than relationship: the ties and obligations of kinship.

Example Sentences

But the relationship cooled in the final months of his presidency as the ambassador assailed plans to overhaul the judiciary that critics saw as a ruling-party power play.

From Los Angeles Times

Felix and the teen began a romantic relationship, prosecutors said, but her parents, 39-year-old Jennifer Goodwill-Yost and 35-year-old Christopher Yost, disapproved of it.

From Los Angeles Times

The relationship of the executive branch and the military has always been a balancing act.

From Los Angeles Times

The government remains opposed to rejoining the EU, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer and some EU politicians have said there could be a better relationship.

From BBC

A UK government spokesperson said: "We are committed to resetting our relationship with our European partners... and improving our trade and investment relationship."

From BBC

Related Words

• accord
• affair
• communication
• contact
• exchange
• liaison
• link
• marriage
• rapport
• relation
• tie