relate

verb

re·​late ri-ˈlāt How to pronounce relate (audio)
related; relating

transitive verb

1
: to give an account of : tell
2
: to show or establish logical or causal connection between
seeks to relate crime to poverty

intransitive verb

1
: to apply or take effect retroactively
usually used with back
the law relates back to the initial date of decision
2
: to have relationship or connection
the readings relate to his lectures
3
: to have or establish a relationship : interact
the way a child relates to a teacher
4
a
: to respond especially favorably
can't relate to that kind of music
b
: to understand and like or have sympathy for someone or something
Those who have experienced the same hardship can relate.
characters the reader can easily relate to
relater noun
or relator
Choose the Right Synonym for relate

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 relate in a Sentence

You must be feeling awful. I went through something similar myself last year, so I can relate. We listened eagerly as she related the whole exciting story.
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.
Consuming too many calories paves the way for obesity and related diseases like Type 2 diabetes. Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Too much traffic, too much vertigo, too many incomplete explanations because everyone was trying to feign a composure that no one, not even the most distantly related, could maintain. Mariana Enriquez october 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025 Tyson Foerster, who had Armstrong as a coach in Lehigh Valley for parts of two seasons, can relate. Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 Though not blood-related, Gomez's Wizards of Waverly Place onscreen parents, David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrer, also attended the wedding. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relate

Word History

Etymology

Latin relatus (past participle of referre to carry back), from re- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of relate was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

relate

verb
re·​late ri-ˈlāt How to pronounce relate (audio)
related; relating
1
: to give an account of : tell
relate a story
2
: to show or establish a relationship between
relate cause and effect
3
: to have relationship or connection : refer
the readings relate to the class discussions
4
: to have or establish a social relationship
the way a child relates to a teacher
5
: to respond especially in a favorable way
can't relate to that kind of music
relatable adjective

Medical Definition

relate

intransitive verb
re·​late ri-ˈlāt How to pronounce relate (audio)
related; relating
: to have meaningful social relationships : interact realistically
an inability to relate emotionally to othersWillow Lawson

More from Merriam-Webster on relate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!