associate

1 of 3

verb

as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
-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 How to pronounce associate (audio)
-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
3
often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college
associate in arts
associateship
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət-ˌship How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-
-ˌāt-
-shət-
noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət How to pronounce associate (audio)
-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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Soliman also is associated with the Clifton Mosque and has led multiple services there, according to the mosque's website. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025 Line dances are generally associated with country music, but now creating line dances to pop songs is the new trend. Angelica Wells, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Noun
This includes specific details such as victim names and likenesses, physical descriptions, places of birth, associates, and employment history. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025 The college offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in fields such as business, health care, technology, nursing, social work, early childhood education, criminal justice and cybersecurity. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025
Adjective
Bove has served as principal associate deputy attorney general since Mr. Trump returned to the White House in January, and was a federal prosecutor in New York from 2012 to 2021. July 11, CBS News, 11 July 2025 In addition to the defendants listed in the lawsuit, First Liberty's brief was filed in support of Attorney General Tim Griffin and the state of Arkansas, according to Erin Smith, associate counsel for First Liberty. Edward McKinnon, arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for associate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of associate was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

associate

1 of 2 verb
as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
-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
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 How to pronounce associate (audio)
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 neuronsS. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone
2
: to engage in free association
the patient associated freely about his childhood

associate

2 of 3 adjective
: 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 nursingSkagit Valley College Catalog

Legal Definition

associate

noun
: a lawyer employed by a law firm compare partner

More from Merriam-Webster on associate

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