What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interrelation
Example
There is an interrelation between economic growth and environmental sustainability. [interrelation: noun]
Example
The interrelation of different factors can affect the outcome of the experiment. [interrelation: noun]
relationship
Example
The relationship between the two countries has been strained for years. [relationship: noun]
Example
There is a clear relationship between smoking and lung cancer. [relationship: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relationship is more commonly used than interrelation in everyday language, especially when referring to emotional or personal connections between people. Interrelation is more commonly used in academic or technical contexts to describe objective connections between different aspects of a system or process.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interrelation and relationship?
Interrelation is typically associated with a more formal tone, while relationship can be used in both formal and informal contexts.