# correlation

/ˌkɔɹəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒɹɪlˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/correlation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. general connection

noun · CEFR B2

a connection between two things where one seems to affect the other, or they happen at the same time.

For teachers: a reciprocal or complementary relationship between two or more comparable objects or phenomena.

- Researchers found a strong correlation between a healthy diet and a long life.
- The study suggests a significant correlation between early childhood literacy programmes and long-term academic success in secondary education.

Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'between'.

### 2. statistical measure

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

a number in math that shows how closely two sets of data are linked.

For teachers: a measure of the linear relationship between two random variables, indicating the strength and direction of their association.

- The correlation coefficient was 0.8, showing the two variables were closely linked.
- A high positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other tends to increase in a predictable linear fashion.

Usage: Often appears in the phrase 'correlation coefficient'.

Teaching tip: Teachers should remind students that 'correlation does not imply causation'—just because two things happen together doesn't mean one caused the other.

### 3. geometry

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a special type of matching in advanced geometry between points and planes.

For teachers: an isomorphism from a projective space to the dual of a projective space.

- The professor explained how a correlation maps points to planes in projective geometry.
- In the study of projective planes, a correlation is a transformation that switches the roles of points and lines while preserving incidence.

## Examples

- There is a strong correlation between height and weight.
- Researchers found a high correlation between regular exercise and improved mental health outcomes in the study group.
- While the data shows a significant positive correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents, it is vital to remember that both are influenced by the third variable of rising temperatures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.