relate
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for relate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To tell or describe an event or story.
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.
How to use relate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin relatus, the past participle of referre, "to carry back or report." A doublet of "refer."
Full origin of relate →Frequently asked questions
What does “relate” mean?
The word “relate” means to tell or describe an event or story. In plain terms, to connect something to something else, tell a story, or personally identify with someone's experience.
How do you pronounce “relate”?
“Relate” is pronounced rih-LAYT (/ɹɪˈleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “relate” in a sentence?
Here is “relate” used in a sentence: “He related the whole incident to the police in detail.”
What is another word for “relate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “relate” include chronicle, describe, divulge, recount and state.
What part of speech is “relate”?
“Relate” is a verb.
Where does the word “relate” come from?
The word “relate” comes from Latin. From Latin relatus, the past participle of referre, "to carry back or report." A doublet of "refer.".
Is “relate” a common word?
“Relate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “relate” have?
“Relate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to tell or describe an event or story.
What is the difference between "relate" and "relate to"?
On its own, "relate" means to tell or describe an event or story, as in "He related the whole adventure." "Relate to" means to be connected with something, or informally to identify and empathise with it, as in "I can relate to that feeling." The added preposition changes the meaning.
What is the difference between "relate" and "narrate"?
Both mean to tell a story or describe events. "Narrate" is more formal and suggests a structured, ongoing account, often of a film or book. "Relate" is a slightly more everyday word for recounting what happened.
Is it "relate to" or "relate with"?
Standard English uses "relate to," as in "how these ideas relate to each other" or "I relate to her situation." "Relate with" is not idiomatic in this sense and should be avoided.