associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv 

-sē-, 

-shə-tiv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

2

: dependent on or acquired by association or learning

3

: of, having, or being the property of combining to the same mathematical result regardless of the grouping of an expression's elements given that the order of those elements is preserved

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈti-və-tē 

-sē-, 

-shə-ˈti-

noun

Examples of associative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those are some of the striking examples of observational register, one that uses tactical distance, sound, slowness and associative montage to convey pain without resorting to the evidentiary shock of graphic imagery. — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Paré-Poupart’s hyperactive, genre-mixing writing suggests that writing about contemporary labor and its place in consumer societies may benefit from being associative and capacious. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Pinney’s bold and free conception of how a drama is constituted, and its inseparability from time and memory, displays a rare associative virtuosity. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

In many cases, there’s no relationship between one law and another — the commutative law doesn’t imply the associative law, for example. — Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing associative

• associative learning
• associative neuron

Rhymes for associative

• allocative
• appellative
• applicative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative

Kids Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt-iv  -sē- 

-shət-iv

1

: of or relating to association

2

: of, having, or being the property of producing the same mathematical value no matter how an expression's elements are grouped so long as the order of those elements is the same

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

-ˌsō-sē-, 

-ˌsō-shə-ˈtiv-

noun

Medical Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt-iv  -shət-iv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

an associative symbol

2

a

: dependent on or characterized by association

an associative reaction

b

: acquired by a process of learning

an associative reflex