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View synonyms for

associate

[ verb uh-soh-shee-eyt, -see-; noun adjective uh-soh-shee-it, -eyt, -see- ]

verb (used with object)

associated, associating.
  1. to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.:

    Many people associate dark clouds with depression and gloom.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  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)

associated, associating.
  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:

  2. a companion or comrade:

    my most intimate associates.

    Antonyms:

  3. a confederate; an accomplice or ally:

    criminal associates.

    Antonyms:

  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.

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈdzˌٴǰ, noun
  • ˈdzٴǰ, adjective
  • ˈdz, adjective
  • ˈdzٱˌ󾱱, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ···ٱ·󾱱 noun
  • ····ٱ verb reassociated reassociating
  • ·····ٱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of associate1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dzٳܲ “joined to, united with” (past participle of dz ), equivalent to as- as- + soci- ( social ) + -ٳܲ -ate 1; compare Anglo-French associer (verb), dzé (noun)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of associate1

C14: from Latin dz to ally with, from dz to join, from socius an ally
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

From there, she was introduced to Epstein and alleges years of abuse before being "passed around like a platter of fruit" among his powerful associates.

From

But thousands of ordinary Catholics have also arrived to pay their respects to a pontiff known for shunning many of the extravagant trappings associated with the position.

From

It is not something I associate with any one person but rather with a particular time, this time, a certain kind of day, a specific smell in the air.

From

Critics say these words are associated with healthcare companies avoiding payouts and increasing their profits.

From

While neighboring countries often have territorial disputes, he said Mexican governments, particularly those associated with the Institutional Revolutionary Party, made the U.S. the boogeyman in order to drum up domestic support, he said.

From

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More About Associate

does associate mean?

An associate is a person who shares in business as a partner, stakeholder, or colleague.

To associate is to connect or relate multiple things together.

The noun form of associate, pronounced uh-soh-shee-it, often refers to a business partner but can also be used more generally to describe a friend or even an acquaintance.

Associate is also used to describe more sinister partnerships, such as an accomplice in a crime or a member of a gang or crime organization.

The verb form, pronounced uh-soh-shee-eyt, can be used to mean to connect or unite people. When you associate yourself with someone else, you may be working with them, you may be friends or romantic partners, or you may even be a customer. People who are associated will often be discussed in a pair or group.

Associate can also mean to connect or relate, as with objects and feelings or memories. For example, you may associate naan with your grandmother who used to make this bread whenever you visited. Or you may associate a favorite book with the memory of a teacher who introduced you to the book.

Example: I always associate gingerbread with the holidays, but it’s good all year round.

Where does associate come from?

The first records of the term associate come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin dzٳܲ, meaning “joined to” or “united.” Joining or uniting multiple parts is how you can associate two or more people or things.

In the United States and several other countries, university professors operate on a tenure track system that includes the rank of associate professor. An associate professor will have significantly more responsibilities than an entry-level assistant professor but will not have the decision-making power and security of a full professor.

Did you know … ?

are some other forms related to associate?

  • associated (adjective, verb)
  • associateship (noun)
  • reassociate (verb)
  • unassociated (adjective)

are some synonyms for associate?

are some words that share a root or word element with associate?

are some words that often get used in discussing associate?

How is associate used in real life?

Associate is most commonly used to talk about the connections we have with objects, memories and feelings, or other people.

Try using associate!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for associate?

A. partner
B. enemy
C. colleague
D. fellow

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