associate
gb/əsˈoʊʃiɪt/ us/əsˈoʊʃiɪt/
B1
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Connect ideas or experiences
To think of one thing when you think of another thing.
Usage pattern:
to associate [something] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'associate' with 'assume'; 'associate' is about linking ideas, not guessing.
Synonyms
link (More general; can refer to physical or abstract connections.)
|
relate (Often used for emotional or personal connections, not just mental links.)
Antonyms
separate (Means to keep things apart in thought or reality.)
Collocations
associate strongly
|associate closely
|associate directly
Themes
thinking
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many people associate summer with going to the beach.
- I always associate that song with my childhood.
- She tends to associate spicy food with stomach problems.
Learner examples
- I associate the smell of bread with my home.
- He associates rain with feeling sad.
- They associate red with danger.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Work colleague or partner
A person you work with or do business with.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'friend'; an associate is usually less personal and more work-related.
Synonyms
colleague (Often used for someone working in the same organization; slightly more formal.)
|
partner (Implies a closer or more equal relationship, often in business ownership.)
Antonyms
competitor (Someone you are in business against, not working with.)
Collocations
business associate
|close associate
|longtime associate
Themes
business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She invited several business associates to the meeting.
- He was seen leaving the restaurant with a close associate.
- Her longtime associate retired last year.
Learner examples
- My associate will help you today.
- She is a good associate at work.
- He met his associate for lunch.
Verb
B2
action
3
Spend time socially with someone
To spend time with someone, often as friends or part of a group.
Usage pattern:
to associate with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners might not realize this can have a negative tone if used about avoiding certain people.
Synonyms
socialize (Focuses on friendly interaction; less formal than 'associate'.)
Antonyms
avoid (To deliberately not spend time with someone.)
Collocations
associate freely
|associate closely
|associate socially
Themes
social life
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He prefers to associate only with people who share his interests.
- The group does not associate with outsiders.
- They often associate at local community events.
Learner examples
- I like to associate with my classmates.
- She associates with many artists.
- We associate at the park every weekend.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
4
Partial member of a group
A person who belongs to a group but is not a full member.
Synonyms
affiliate (More formal; often used for organizations connected to larger bodies.)
Antonyms
full member (Has complete rights within the group.)
Collocations
associate member
|associate status
Themes
organizations
|business
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was granted associate membership at the club.
- Associate members can attend meetings but cannot vote.
- The program offers an associate status for beginners.
Learner examples
- I am an associate member of the sports club.
- She became an associate of the art society.
- He is an associate in the group.
Grammar
Dictionary form
associate
IPA
GB/əsˈoʊʃiɪt/
US/əsˈoʊʃiɪt/
Syllables & stress
as - so - ci - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (so)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: associate
- Plural: associates
Verb
- Base: associate
- 3rd Person Singular: associates
- Present Participle: associating
- Past: associated
Word family
Forms
associates
noun
associating
verb
associated
verb
Core family
association
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
dissociate
verb
dissociation
noun
Advanced or less common
associative
adjective
Expressions
associate degree
1/əsˈoʊʃiɪt dɪɡɹˈi/
fixed phrase
Two-year college qualification
A college qualification you get after two years of study.
Examples
- She earned an associate degree in nursing.
- An associate degree can lead to better job opportunities.
associate with
1/əsˈoʊʃiˌeɪt wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Be connected socially or professionally
To be connected to a person, group, or idea in some way.
Examples
- She doesn't want to associate with dishonest people.
- That brand is often associated with high quality.
guilt by association
1/ɡˈɪlt bˈaɪ əsˌoʊʃiˈeɪʃən/
idiom
Unfair blame due to connection
When someone is blamed because they know or are connected to someone who did something wrong.
Examples
- He argued that he was a victim of guilt by association.
- The article warns against guilt by association in politics.
guilt by association
2/ɡˈɪlt bˈaɪ əsˌoʊʃiˈeɪʃən/
idiom
Blame due to someone's connections
When people think you did something wrong just because you know someone who did it.
Examples
- He was accused through guilt by association, even though he wasn't involved.
- Guilt by association is not fair in a court of law.