associate

1 of 3

verb

as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt 

-sē-

associated; associating

transitive verb

1

: to join as a partner, friend, or companion

They were closely associated with each other during the war.

2

: to join or connect together : combine

particles of gold associated with heavy minerals

3

: to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)

She will always associate that place with her youth.

4

obsolete : to keep company with : attend

intransitive verb

1

: to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions

was accused of associating with known criminals

2

: to combine or join with other parts : unite

Protons, neutrons, and electrons associate together to form atoms.

associate

2 of 3

noun

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət 

-sē-,

-ˌāt,

-shət

1

: one associated with another: such as

a

: partner, colleague

business associates

b

: companion, comrade

a close associate during his college years

2

a

: an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession)

an associate of the Royal Academy

b

: employee, worker

3

often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college

associate in arts

associateship

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət-ˌship 

-sē-

-ˌāt-

-shət-

noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət 

-sē-,

-ˌāt,

-shət

1

: closely connected (as in function or office) with another : sharing in responsibility or authority

associate judges

2

: having secondary or subordinate status

associate membership in a society

3

: closely related especially in the mind

faith and its associate virtues

Synonyms

Verb

• travel
• connect
• run
• join
• relate
• collaborate
• bond
• mix
• company
• mingle
• befriend

Noun

• colleague
• friend
• buddy
• accomplice
• peer
• fellow
• cohort
• partner
• companion
• classmate
• comrade
• compeer

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of associate in a Sentence

Verb

I no longer wish to be associated with people like him.

She associates herself with some pretty strange people.

Noun

Her associates respected her for her hard work.

She started as an associate at the law firm.

Adjective

He's an associate member of the club but he hopes to become a full member soon.

She was promoted from assistant editor to associate editor and may soon be promoted to senior editor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

By the turn of the century, Ernst Haeckel had amassed enough drawings to produce his great masterpiece and the single work most associated with his name, Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature). —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

That’s especially true for fall, which is associated with hearty, cozy foods that feature seasonal fruits, vegetables, and spices. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 28 Oct. 2025

Noun

But last week, the company was declared a transnational criminal organization by United States authorities, and Chen was charged in absentia in New York with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, along with several associates. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

But the diver’s eye view was even more dramatic, said one of the surveyor divers and co-authors, Richard Karp, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences with NOAA’s coral program. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Byman co-authored the study with Riley McCabe, an associate fellow in the same program. —NPR, 25 Oct. 2025

And labor costs at hospitals and doctors offices are growing, says Matthew Rae, the associate director of the Program on the Healthcare Marketplace at KFF, a health care research organization. —Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English associat associated, from Latin associatus, past participle of associare to unite, from ad- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing associate

• associate professor
• associate's degree
• paired-associate learning

Kids Definition

associate

1 of 2 verb

as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt 

-sē-ˌāt

associated; associating

1

: to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions

2

: to connect in thought

associate autumn with school

3

: to combine or join with other parts : unite

associate

2 of 2 noun

as·​so·​ci·​ate

ə-ˈsō-shē-ət,

-sē-ət,

-shət,

-shē-ˌāt,

-sē-ˌāt

1

: a fellow worker : colleague

2

: companion entry 1 sense 1, friend

3

often capitalized : a degree given especially by a junior college

associate in arts

associate adjective

Etymology

Verb

Middle English associat "connected, related," derived from Latin associare "to unite," from ad- "to" and sociare "to join," from socius "companion" — related to sociable

Medical Definition

associate

1 of 3 verb

as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt 

associated; associating

transitive verb

1

: to join or connect (things) together

2

: to bring together in a relationship

infectious disease associated with a rise in body temperature

intransitive verb

1

: to combine or join with other parts

fibrils of the sensory neurons associate with motor neurons

—S. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone

2

: to engage in free association

the patient associated freely about his childhood

associate

2 of 3 adjective

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ət, -shət, -s(h)ē-ˌāt 

: ranking immediately below the senior or chief position

associate clinical professor of medicine

associate medical examiner

associate

3 of 3 noun

as·​so·​ciate

like₂

1

: a research worker or teacher affiliated with a professional organization or institution and ranking below a professor or full member

a research associate in pathology

2

often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college

an Associate in Technical Arts degree in nursing

—Skagit Valley College Catalog

Legal Definition

associate

noun

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-ət, -shət 

: a lawyer employed by a law firm compare partner