relate to

phrasal verb

related to; relating to; relates to

1

: to connect (something) with (something else)

Few of the people who became sick related their symptoms to the food they'd eaten the day before.

2

: to understand and like or have sympathy for (someone or something)

I can relate to your feelings.

I've never been able to relate to him very well.

He writes songs that people can really relate to.

3

—used to describe how someone talks to or behaves toward (someone else)

How a child relates to her teacher can affect her education.

4

: to be connected with (someone or something) : to be about (someone or something)

The readings relate to the class discussions.

—often used as (be) related to

The exam questions are directly related to the readings.

Examples of relate to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyone who fantasizes about the new and improved version of themselves that awaits on the other side of the ball drop can relate to the special blend of optimism and self-criticism that the New Year often holds. —Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025

More than a year later, Moore now faces charges of a felony count of home invasion and multiple misdemeanors related to his arrest on earlier this month, just hours after he was dismissed by Michigan. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025

Isaac Asimov once explained it as being related to Humankind and its relationship to speculative technology and alternative science. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025

Other suspects are also facing charges related to this incident. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for relate to

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup