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

It follows an announcement in November that Roblox would be barring under-13s from "social hangouts", where players can communicate with each other using text or voice messages, from Monday.

From BBC

Later the company said in an official statement that it "is ready to communicate with the work council comprised of a majority of employees on matters including wages, benefits and working conditions".

From BBC

Greene King said it was concerned about the BBC's findings and pledged to review how the scheme was communicated to its teams.

From BBC

BBC News spent months communicating with a man in Nigeria actively involved in sextortion, persuading him to give an insight into this world.

From BBC

“It's important for us to keep communicating how that works” he said.

From BBC

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