correlate
gb/kˈɔɹəlˌeɪt/ us/kˈɔɹəlˌeɪt/
B2
English
~ 5900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
technical
B2
relation
1
to have a measurable relationship
To have a clear connection with something else, so that when one thing changes, the other usually changes too.
Usage pattern:
[A] correlate[s] with [B]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'correlate' to mean 'cause'. However, if two things correlate, they only change together; we do NOT automatically know that one causes the other. Also, in scientific and technical writing, 'correlate with' is usually preferred over 'correlate to'.
Synonyms
relate (More general and less technical; does not specifically suggest a measurable or statistical relationship.)
Antonyms
be unrelated to (States that there is no meaningful or measurable relationship between two things.)
Collocations
strongly correlate with
|positively correlate with
|negatively correlate with
|closely correlate with
|significantly correlate with
Themes
science
|statistics
|research
|thinking
|education
Examples
- Higher levels of education tend to correlate with longer life expectancy.
- In this dataset, income does not correlate with overall happiness.
- Among teenagers, heavy social media use strongly correlates with sleep problems.
- The two test scores correlate closely across different age groups.
- Obesity often correlates with a lack of regular physical activity.
Learner examples
- High stress often correlates with poor sleep.
- Rainfall in this area does not correlate with temperature.
- In many countries, age correlates with voting habits.
- Good study habits usually correlate with better grades.
Verb
technical
C1
action
2
to compare data to show relationship
To put two or more sets of information together and check how they are connected.
Usage pattern:
[someone] correlate[s] [A] with [B]
Common mistake:
Learners may use this transitive sense without an object, saying things like '*We correlated yesterday*'. In this meaning, 'correlate' almost always needs objects, such as 'correlated the results with the survey data.'
Synonyms
match (Focuses on pairing similar items, without always suggesting a detailed or statistical analysis.)
Antonyms
separate (Emphasizes keeping data apart instead of bringing it together to find relationships.)
Collocations
correlate data
|correlate results
|correlate findings
|correlate variables
|correlate the information
|correlate records with
Themes
science
|statistics
|research
|technology
|education
Examples
- The researchers correlated patient records with lab results to identify risk factors.
- We can correlate these survey responses with sales data to see which features customers value most.
- The analysts correlated traffic logs with error reports to locate the source of the problem.
- This tool automatically correlates network events across different servers.
- The study carefully correlates environmental measurements with health outcomes.
Learner examples
- The team correlated test scores with hours of study.
- Doctors correlated the lab results with the patients’ symptoms.
- The company correlated website visits with online sales.
- Scientists correlated air quality data with hospital visits.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
a thing measurably linked to another
Something that has a clear and measurable connection with another thing.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a correlate of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat 'correlate' as a countable or uncountable noun incorrectly in technical writing. It is normally countable in this sense (e.g. 'a strong correlate of X', 'several correlates of Y').
Synonyms
associated factor (Less technical and more descriptive; clearly signals that it is one of several related influences.)
Antonyms
independent factor (Suggests a factor that does not vary together with the one being studied.)
Collocations
a strong correlate of
|a significant correlate of
|an important correlate of
|a key correlate of
|a reliable correlate of
Themes
science
|statistics
|research
|education
Examples
- Smoking is a well-known correlate of lung cancer in many studies.
- Low birth weight is a significant correlate of infant mortality.
- In this model, income is a key correlate of educational achievement.
- Body mass index is often used as a correlate of overall health.
- Social isolation has become an important correlate of depression among older adults.
Learner examples
- High income is a common correlate of better health.
- In this study, age is a strong correlate of the disease.
- Exercise is a positive correlate of good mood.
- Stress is a known correlate of heart problems.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
having a corresponding relationship
Having a clear relationship with something else, so that the two things go together or match.
Usage pattern:
[two things] are correlate
Common mistake:
This adjective form is rare; learners often try to use it where the verb 'correlate' or the adjective 'correlated' would be more natural, e.g. 'the two variables are correlated' instead of '*are correlate*'.
Synonyms
corresponding (More common general word; does not always suggest a formal or logical relationship.)
Antonyms
unrelated (Shows that two things do not match or share a mutual relationship.)
Collocations
correlate terms
|correlate concepts
|correlate parts
Themes
logic
|philosophy
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In this theory, the two notions are correlate elements of a single structure.
- The diagram shows correlate concepts on opposite sides of the axis.
- These correlate terms must be defined together to avoid confusion.
Learner examples
- In this model, the two ideas are correlate parts.
- Some words in logic are correlate terms.
- The two roles are correlate in this system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
correlate
IPA
GB/kˈɔɹəlˌeɪt/
US/kˈɔɹəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
cor - rel - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: correlate
- Comparative: correlater
- Superlative: correlatest
Noun
- Base: correlate
- Plural: correlates
Verb
- Base: correlate
- 3rd Person Singular: correlates
- Present Participle: correlating
- Past: correlated
- Past Participle: correlated
Word family
Forms
correlates
noun
correlating
verb
correlated
verb
correlater
adjective
correlatest
adjective
Core family
correlation
noun B2
Related words
correlative
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncorrelated
adjective
Advanced or less common
correlational
adjective C1
Expressions
correlate with
1/kˈɔɹəlˌeɪt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
technical
to have a measurable relationship with
To have a clear and often measured connection with something.
Examples
- Test anxiety tends to correlate with lower exam scores.
- In this study, daily screen time did not correlate with reported happiness.