connect
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for connect, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To join one thing to another, physically or electronically.
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.
colligate
Antonyms
How to use connect
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
connect with someone
connect to the internet
connecting flight
Etymology
From Latin "connectere," meaning "to fasten together," from "con-" ("together") and "nectere" ("to bind") — a distant relative of "knot" and "knit."
Full origin of connect →Frequently asked questions
What does “connect” mean?
The word “connect” means to join one thing to another, physically or electronically. In plain terms, to join two things together, or to feel a bond or link between people or ideas.
How do you pronounce “connect”?
“Connect” is pronounced kuh-NEHKT (/kəˈnɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “connect” in a sentence?
Here is “connect” used in a sentence: “Connect the cable to the back of the router.”
What is the opposite of “connect”?
The opposite of “connect” — its antonyms — is disconnect.
What part of speech is “connect”?
“Connect” is a verb.
Where does the word “connect” come from?
The word “connect” comes from Latin. From Latin "connectere," meaning "to fasten together," from "con-" ("together") and "nectere" ("to bind") — a distant relative of "knot" and "knit.".
Is “connect” a common word?
“Connect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “connect” have?
“Connect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to join one thing to another, physically or electronically.
Do you say "connect to" or "connect with"?
Use "connect to" for physical and electronic links: "Connect the printer to the laptop," "I can't connect to the Wi-Fi." Use "connect with" for relationships and rapport between people: "She really connects with her students." Both are correct; the preposition follows the type of connection.
What is the difference between connect and link?
The two verbs overlap heavily; both mean to join things physically or to establish an association between them. Link often suggests a chain-like or evidential relationship, especially between pieces of information ("the study links diet to heart health"), while connect is the more general, everyday word for joining things or people.
Is "connect up" correct?
"Connect up" is an informal phrasal form meaning to join something to a system or supply: "The house isn't connected up to the mains yet." The "up" adds nothing essential, and plain "connect" is preferred in formal writing.
