word-association test

noun

word-as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion test ˈwərd-ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən- 

-shē-

: a test of personality and mental function in which the subject is required to respond to each of a series of words with the first word that comes to mind or with a word of a specified class of words (such as antonyms)

Examples of word-association test in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In one sketch, Chase plays a man interviewing Pryor for a job, and subjects him to a word-association test. — Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

An ensuing word-association test devolved into an increasingly dangerous exchange of racial slurs. — Washington Post, 19 May 2021

But those who had recombined the coaster pieces did better on the word-association test, successfully drawing connections between the sets of words. — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for word-association test

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Medical Definition

word-association test

noun

ˈwərd- 

: a test of personality and mental function in which the subject is required to respond to each of a series of words with the first word that comes to mind or with a word of a specified class of words (as antonyms)