associate
associate Lexical Profile
associate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To connect someone or something in one's mind with a particular concept, feeling, or memory.
"Many people associate the scent of pine needles with winter holidays."
To spend time socially or maintain a regular relationship with a person or group.
"He was advised not to associate with individuals involved in questionable financial schemes."
To join or unite with another person, organization, or enterprise as a partner, ally, or supporter.
"Several regional clinics decided to associate with the university hospital to expand patient care."
• noun
A partner, colleague, or peer in business, work, or a shared enterprise.
"She discussed the new marketing proposal with a trusted business associate before presenting it to the board."
A person with a subordinate, junior, or entry-level membership or employment position within a professional firm, institution, or retail company.
"The law firm hired ten new associates straight out of law school this autumn."
North American An academic degree granted by a community college, junior college, or university upon completion of a two-year undergraduate course of study.
"He earned an associate in applied science before transferring to a four-year state university."
• adjective
Joined with others in work or status, typically having a subordinate, secondary, or partial rank within an organization or profession.
"After five years of dedicated research and teaching, she was promoted to associate professor."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word is a heteronym: as a verb, the final syllable is pronounced with a long 'a' (/əˈsoʊʃieɪt/), whereas as a noun or adjective, the final vowel is reduced to a schwa (/əˈsoʊʃiət/).
• Rhymes for associate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late Middle Ages from Latin 'associatus', the past participle of 'associare' ('to join with or unite'), formed from 'ad-' ('to') and 'socius' ('companion' or 'ally').