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1

associate

play
verb as·so·ci·ate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt, -sē-\

Definition of associate

associated

;

associating
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to join as a partner, friend, or companion They were closely associated with each other during the war.

  3. 2 :  to join or connect together :  combine particles of gold associated with heavy minerals

  4. 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.

  5. 4 obsolete :  to keep company with :  attend

  6. intransitive verb

  7. 1 :  to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions was accused of associating with known criminals

  8. 2 :  to combine or join with other parts :  unite Protons, neutrons, and electrons associate together to form atoms.

See associate defined for English-language learners

See associate defined for kids

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Examples of associate in a Sentence

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

  2. She associates herself with some pretty strange people.

Origin and Etymology 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


First Known Use: 14th century

associate Synonyms

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
Antonyms
break up, dissever, part, section, separate, sever, split, sunder, unlink
Related Words
affiliate, ally, attach, band, bond, club, collaborate, collude, confederate, conjoin, connect, cooperate, couple, gang, get along, get on, group, interrelate, join, knot, league, link, mingle, mix, rally, relate, side, socialize, team, tie, wed; befriend, friend
Near Antonyms
avoid, cold-shoulder, shun, snub; alienate, estrange; break up, disband, disperse, split (up); disjoin, dissociate, disunite, divorce, sever, split, sunder

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
2

associate

play
noun as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-, -ˌāt, -shət\

Definition of associate

  1. 1 :  one associated with another: such asa :  partner, colleague business associatesb :  companion, comrade a close associate during his college years

  2. 2a :  an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession) an associate of the Royal Academyb :  employee, worker

  3. 3 often capitalized :  a degree conferred especially by a junior college associate in arts

associateship

\-ˌship\ noun

See associate defined for English-language learners

Examples of associate in a Sentence

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

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

Origin and Etymology of associate

see 1associate


First Known Use: 1533

associate Synonyms

Synonyms
cohort, companion, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, fellow, hobnobber, mate, running mate
Related Words
colleague, coworker, equal, peer, workmate; accomplice, affiliate, ally, collaborator, confederate, half, partner; buddy, chum, confidant, familiar, friend, hearty, intimate, pal; countryman; classmate, housemate, messmate, playfellow, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, shipmate, teammate; attendant, escort; hanger-on, leech, parasite
3

associate

play
adjective as·so·ciate \same as 2associate\

Definition of associate

  1. 1 :  closely connected (as in function or office) with another :  sharing in responsibility or authority associate judges

  2. 2 :  having secondary or subordinate status associate membership in a society

  3. 3 :  closely related especially in the mind faith and its associate virtues

See associate defined for English-language learners

Examples of associate in a Sentence

  1. Her associates respected her for her hard work.

  2. She started as an associate at the law firm.

Origin and Etymology of associate

see 1associate


First Known Use: 14th century

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Phrases Related to ASSOCIATE

Related Phrases

ASSOCIATE Defined for English Language Learners

associate

play
verb

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

  • : 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.

associate

play
adjective

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

  • : having a rank or position that is below the highest level in a group, organization, etc.

associate

play
noun

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

  • : 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

ASSOCIATE Defined for Kids

1

associate

play
verb as·so·ci·ate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt\

Definition of associate for Students

associated

;

associating

  1. 1 :  to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions He associates with some interesting people.

  2. 2 :  to connect in thought I associate hot chocolate with winter.

2

associate

play
adjective as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -shət\

Definition of associate for Students

  1. :  having a rank or position that is below the highest level an associate member of the club

3

associate

play
noun as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -shət\

Definition of associate for Students

  1. 1 :  a person who you work with or spend time with business associates

Medical Dictionary

1

associate

play
verb as·so·ci·ate \ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt\

Medical Definition of associate

associated

;

associating

  1. 1

  2. transitive verb

    3. :  to join or connect (things) together

  3. 2:  to bring together in a relationship infectious disease associated with a rise in body temperature

  4. 1

  5. intransitive verb

    6. :  to combine or join with other parts fibrils of the sensory neurons associate with motor neurons—S. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone

  6. 2:  to engage in free association the patient associated freely about his childhood

2

associate

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

Medical Definition of associate

  1. :  ranking immediately below the senior or chief position associate clinical professor of medicine associate medical examiner

3

associate

play
noun as·so·ciate \like2\

Medical Definition of associate

  1. 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. 2 often capitalized :  a degree conferred especially by a junior college an Associate in Technical Arts degree in nursing—Skagit Valley College Catalog

Law Dictionary

associate

play
noun as·so·ciate \ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-ət, -shət\

Legal Definition of associate

  1. :  a lawyer employed by a law firm — compare partner

Learn More about associate

  1. See words that rhyme with associate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for associate Spanish Central: Translation of associate Nglish: Translation of associate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of associate for Arabic speakers

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Examples: associate in a Sentence
Tip: Synonym Guide