affiliate
- 01 C1 Advanced
v.to officially join or become part of a larger group or organization.
v.to officially attach or connect a person or organization to a larger body. Often used in the passive voice or with the preposition 'with'.
Simple“The small college decided to affiliate with the state university system.”
In context“The research institute chose to affiliate with the national academy to secure more consistent funding for its long-term projects.”
UsageCommonly used in the passive voice: 'to be affiliated with'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person who earns money by promoting another company's products online.
n.an individual or business that promotes a third party's products or services in exchange for a commission on resulting sales.
Simple“She makes a living as an affiliate for several popular clothing brands.”
In context“The company launched an extensive affiliate programme, offering high commission rates to influencers who could drive traffic to the new site.”
“It was feared he may have been taken there by militants belonging to groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate which has been linked to several attacks in the region.”
“We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.”
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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.