relate

verb

re·​late ri-ˈlāt 

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

ri-ˈlā-tər 

Synonyms

• bond
• commune
• click
• sympathize

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

Marples especially suggested being in spaces with other women who can relate. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2025

The other problem was partner-related. —Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

Hanke relates that it was riddled with loopholes that handed the Banco Central de la República Argentina discretionary monetary powers. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

Humanoid designs often face persistent challenges with walking stability, arm dexterity, and battery consumption, problems that are both software- and hardware-related. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing relate

• relate back to
• relate to

Rhymes for relate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

relate

verb

re·​late ri-ˈlāt 

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

-ˈlāt-ə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

relate

intransitive verb

re·​late ri-ˈlāt 

related; relating

: to have meaningful social relationships : interact realistically

an inability to relate emotionally to others

—Willow Lawson