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

We have a healthy marriage and communicate easily and freely.

From Washington Post

The intensity of such moments may result from how the nose communicates with the brain.

From Washington Post

In October 2019, Marshall said, the agency began communicating with San Diego Gas & Electric about the possibility of getting residential utility usage data.

From Voice of San Diego

Prior to that, Google tested a feature to communicate to customers labeling your future open date for new businesses.

From Search Engine Land

The coronavirus has reinforced the Internet as the fabric of modern American life, a luxury-turned-necessity for a generation now forced to work, learn and communicate primarily through the Web.

From Washington Post

Citizens, perhaps, need to feel like they can communicate something to science.

From The Daily Beast

You will have your beloved father back sooner than you think, and you can visit and communicate with him all the while.

From The Daily Beast

We also found messengers who could communicate the truth of our lives.

From The Daily Beast

As soon as I was able to communicate, I never said I wanted to be a girl.

From The Daily Beast

Onion routers refers to the TOR network, a system that allows users to mask their location and communicate anonymously online.

From The Daily Beast

And now, monsieur, if you will communicate to me the nature of your affair, you shall find me entirely at your service.

From Project Gutenberg

Terror and fascination caught him; he turned away lest she should reach his secret and communicate her own.

From Project Gutenberg

Tredwell enters, and seems to have something of importance to communicate to Sir Rupert in private.

From Project Gutenberg

The channel lies between two sandbanks, which communicate with either shore.

From Project Gutenberg

The vicar never presumed to enter his wife's room without knocking; he evidently had something to communicate.

From Project Gutenberg

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