ENGLISH
REFERENCE

affiliate

v. · n.
US //əˈfɪɫiˌeɪt// af·fil·i·ate
  1. 1 to join a group (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to officially join or become part of a larger group or organization.

    to officially attach or connect a person or organization to a larger body. Often used in the passive voice or with the preposition 'with'.

    Example

    The small college decided to affiliate with the state university system.

    Example

    The research institute chose to affiliate with the national academy to secure more consistent funding for its long-term projects.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the passive voice: 'to be affiliated with'.
  2. 2 marketing partner (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a person who earns money by promoting another company's products online.

    an individual or business that promotes a third party's products or services in exchange for a commission on resulting sales.

    Example

    She makes a living as an affiliate for several popular clothing brands.

    Example

    The company launched an extensive affiliate programme, offering high commission rates to influencers who could drive traffic to the new site.
Origin

From Medieval Latin affīliātus, the passive past participle of Late Latin adfīliō, affīliō (“to adopt as son”), from ad- + fīlius + -ō. Equivalent to Latin affīliō + -ate. Compare French affilié (noun).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference