First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1associate
verb as·so·ci·ate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt, -sē-\
: to think of one person or thing when you think of another person or thing
: to be together with another person or group as friends, partners, etc.
as·so·ci·at·edas·so·ci·at·ing
Full Definition of ASSOCIATE
transitive verb
1
: to join as a partner, friend, or companion
2
obsolete : to keep company with : attend
3
: to join or connect together : combine
4
: to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)
intransitive verb
1
: to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
2
: to combine or join with other parts : unite
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Origin of ASSOCIATE
Middle English associat associated, from Latin associatus, past participle of associare to unite, from ad- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social
Related to ASSOCIATE
- Synonyms
- chum, company, consociate, consort, fraternize, hang (around or out), hobnob, hook up, mess around, pal (around), run, sort, travel, be friends with, fall in with, keep company (with), rub elbows (with) or rub shoulders (with), take up with
Synonym Discussion of ASSOCIATE
join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union. join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness <joined forces in an effort to win>. combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit <combined jazz and rock to create a new music>. unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity <the colonies united to form a republic>. connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity <a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations>. link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity <a name forever linked with liberty>. associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation <opera is popularly associated with high society>. relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection <related what he observed to what he already knew>.
Rhymes with ASSOCIATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appreciate, appropriate, approximate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, depreciate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interpolate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
2associate
adjective as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-, -ˌāt, -shət\
: having a rank or position that is below the highest level in a group, organization, etc.
Full Definition of ASSOCIATE
1
: closely connected (as in function or office) with another
2
: closely related especially in the mind
3
: having secondary or subordinate status <associate membership in a society>
See associate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ASSOCIATE
14th century
3associate
noun as·so·ciate \same as 2\
: a person who you work with or spend time with
: a member of a group or organization who is at a level that is below the highest level
Full Definition of ASSOCIATE
1
2
3
often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college <associate in arts>
— as·so·ciate·ship \-ˌship\ noun
See associate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ASSOCIATE
1533
Related to ASSOCIATE
- Synonyms
- cohort, companion, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, fellow, hobnobber, mate, running mate
Other Business Terms
ASSOCIATED Defined for Kids
1associate
verb as·so·ci·ate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt\
as·so·ci·at·edas·so·ci·at·ing
Definition of ASSOCIATE for Kids
1
: to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions <He associates with some interesting people.>
2
: to connect in thought <I associate hot chocolate with winter.>
2associate
adjective as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -shət\
Definition of ASSOCIATE for Kids
: having a rank or position that is below the highest level <an associate member of the club>
3associate
noun as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -shət\
Definition of ASSOCIATE for Kids
1
: a person who you work with or spend time with <business associates>
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