relationship
gb/ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/ us/ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
relation
1
Emotional or social connection
The way two or more people feel and act toward each other.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a relationship with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'relationship' with 'relation'. 'Relation' is often used for family ties or formal contexts, while 'relationship' is more common for emotional or personal connections.
Synonyms
connection (More general; can include non-emotional links.)
|
bond (Implies a strong emotional tie.)
Antonyms
estrangement (A loss of closeness or connection between people.)
Collocations
close relationship
|romantic relationship
|family relationship
|long-term relationship
|healthy relationship
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|society
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- They have had a close relationship since college.
- Her relationship with her parents improved after she moved out.
- He ended the romantic relationship because they wanted different things.
- Trust is important in any relationship.
- The movie explores the complex relationship between two sisters.
Learner examples
- I have a good relationship with my teacher.
- She has a close relationship with her brother.
- They are in a romantic relationship.
- My relationship with my friend is very strong.
Noun
B1
relation
2
Connection between things
How two or more things are connected or work together.
Usage pattern:
the relationship between [thing] and [thing]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'relationship' where 'difference' or 'contrast' would be better when describing how things oppose each other.
Synonyms
link (Often used for less formal or less detailed connections.)
|
correlation (More technical; often used in statistics and research.)
Antonyms
disconnection (A lack of connection between things.)
Collocations
cause-and-effect relationship
|inverse relationship
|direct relationship
Themes
science
|society
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The study examines the relationship between diet and health.
- There is a direct relationship between supply and demand.
- Scientists are exploring the relationship between climate change and extreme weather events.
Learner examples
- There is a strong relationship between exercise and health.
- I see a relationship between music and mood.
- The relationship between price and quality is important.
Noun
A2
relation
3
Romantic partnership
When two people are boyfriend and girlfriend, married, or dating each other.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in a relationship with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'in relation with' instead of 'in a relationship with' when talking about romance.
Synonyms
partnership (Can refer to romantic or business context; more formal.)
|
affair (Usually refers to a secret or extramarital romantic involvement.)
Antonyms
breakup (The ending of a romantic partnership.)
Collocations
serious relationship
|long-distance relationship
|committed relationship
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
Examples
- They have been in a serious relationship for three years.
- She just got out of a long-distance relationship.
- He asked if I was in a relationship.
Learner examples
- I am in a relationship with John.
- They have a serious relationship.
- She is not in a relationship now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
relationship
IPA
GB/ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
US/ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
Syllables & stress
re - la - tion - ship (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (la)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: relationship
- Plural: relationship, relationships
Word family
Forms
relationships
noun
Related words
relatively
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unrelated
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
relational
adjective
relatedness
noun
Expressions
in a relationship
1/ˈɪn ə ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
Being romantically involved
To have a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, or partner.
Examples
- She told me she's in a relationship now.
- Are you in a relationship at the moment?
love-hate relationship
1/lˈʌv hˈeɪt ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
Connection of love and dislike
When you like someone or something but also dislike them or it at the same time.
Examples
- I have a love-hate relationship with my job.
- Their love-hate relationship makes things complicated.
relationship goals
1/ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp ɡˈoʊlz/
fixed phrase
informal
Admired romantic example
A couple's way of being together that people think is perfect and want for themselves.
Examples
- Their kindness to each other is real relationship goals.
- That photo of them traveling together is pure relationship goals.