associate
21 synonyms and 1 antonyms for associate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To connect one thing or idea with another in your mind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use associate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin associatus, past participle of associare ("to join, unite"), from ad- plus socius ("companion, ally").
Full origin of associate →Frequently asked questions
What does “associate” mean?
The word “associate” means to connect one thing or idea with another in your mind. In plain terms, to link things in your mind or spend time with someone, or (as a noun) a colleague or partner.
How do you pronounce “associate”?
“Associate” is pronounced uh-SOH-shee-uht (/əˈsoʊʃi.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “associate” in a sentence?
Here is “associate” used in a sentence: “Most people associate the color red with danger.”
What is another word for “associate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “associate” include adjunct, business partner, cohort, colaborer /colabourer, collaborator and colleague.
What is the opposite of “associate”?
The opposite of “associate” — its antonyms — is disassociate.
What part of speech is “associate”?
Depending on how it is used, “associate” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “associate” come from?
The word “associate” comes from Latin. From Latin associatus, past participle of associare ("to join, unite"), from ad- plus socius ("companion, ally").
Is “associate” a common word?
“Associate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between associate and connect?
Both link things together, but associate is chiefly mental, describing an idea or feeling that comes to mind alongside something else. Connect is broader and can be physical, such as connecting two pipes. You associate a smell with a memory, but you connect a cable to a socket.
What is an example of associating one thing with another?
People routinely associate the smell of pine with Christmas, a particular song with a past relationship, or a brand's logo with quality. In each case the mind automatically links the two, so encountering one calls the other to mind, even without any deliberate effort.
Does associate always mean a mental connection?
In the sense defined here, yes: it means linking ideas in your mind. But associate has other uses too. It can mean to spend time with people, as in "he associates with artists," and as a noun it names a colleague or business partner. Context decides the meaning.