Word
relate
Phoneticsre·late, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈɫeɪt/
UK/ɹɪlˈeɪt/
Definitions
01to connect things
B1 · Intermediate
v. to show or find a connection between two or more things.
v. to establish or demonstrate a logical or causal connection between two or more entities.
“It is difficult to relate these two events because they happened years apart.”
“Researchers are struggling to relate the sudden drop in local temperatures to the broader patterns of global climate change.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'to'.
Antonyms
02to understand someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
v. to understand how someone feels or why they do something because you have felt the same way.
v. to identify with or feel a sense of rapport with a person, situation, or idea.
“I can really relate to your problem because I had the same thing happen to me.”
“Many younger viewers found they could relate to the protagonist's struggle to balance professional ambition with personal integrity.”
Usage
Intransitive; almost always followed by 'to'.
Synonyms
03to tell a story
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to tell someone about an event or a story in detail.
v. to give an account of a sequence of events; to narrate or recount.
“He began to relate the strange things he had seen during his trip.”
“The witness was asked to relate the exact sequence of events as they had unfolded on the night of the accident.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object representing the story or information being shared.
04to interact with others
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to behave toward other people or communicate with them.
v. to interact or communicate with others in a particular social or interpersonal context.
“She finds it hard to relate to her colleagues because she is very shy.”
“The workshop focuses on how managers relate to their employees during high-pressure project phases.”
Usage
Intransitive; usually followed by 'to'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “relate” in context.
Verb
01. relate to
“I can really relate to how you feel right now.”
verb + prep
Adverb
02. clearly relate
“The results of the study clearly relate to the initial hypothesis.”
adv + verb
03. closely relate
“These two species of birds closely relate to each other in their behavior.”
adv + verb
04. directly relate
“Your salary will directly relate to the number of hours you work.”
adv + verb
05. indirectly relate
“The price of gas can indirectly relate to the cost of groceries.”
adv + verb
06. mainly relate
“The problems we are facing mainly relate to a lack of communication.”
adv + verb
07. obviously relate
“The two crimes obviously relate to the same suspect.”
adv + verb
08. particularly relate
“These new rules particularly relate to students living in the dorms.”
adv + verb
09. primarily relate
“The discussions primarily relate to the budget for next year.”
adv + verb
10. significantly relate
“Diet and exercise significantly relate to overall heart health.”
adv + verb
11. simply relate
“He didn't explain the theory; he simply related the story of how it was found.”
adv + verb
12. specifically relate
“Do you have any questions that specifically relate to this project?”
adv + verb
Etymology
From Latin relātus, perfect passive participle of referō (“carry back; report”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of refer. See also infer, collate and confer, delate and defer, as well as prefer and prelate among others.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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