to make a connection between two or more things, to tell someone about something that has happened to you or your experiences, feelings, etc., to understand and have sympathy for someone or something

relate to the hand that feeds you, relate to someone like a duck to water, relate to someone on a personal level

relate to, related to, relate back to

Formal and Informal Expressions of relate

In different contexts, you can replace 'relate' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'correlate, associate' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'connect, click' is a commonplace synonym.

relate: Explore its Definition & Usage

relate Definition

1to make a connection between two or more things
2to tell someone about something that has happened to you or your experiences, feelings, etc.
3to understand and have sympathy for someone or something

Using relate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "relate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
I can relate to what you're going through.
Example
The article relates to the current political climate.
Example
She related the story of her childhood to me.
Example
The two incidents are not related to each other.

relate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for relate

Antonyms for relate

Idioms Using relate

relate to the hand that feeds you
to be loyal or grateful to someone who provides for you
Example
He always supports his boss because he knows who feeds him.
relate to someone like a duck to water
to feel comfortable and natural with someone
Example
She related to her new coworkers like a duck to water.
relate to someone on a personal level
to connect with someone emotionally or intimately
Example
The therapist was able to relate to her patients on a personal level.

Phrases with relate

relate to
to understand and have sympathy for someone or something
Example
I can relate to the struggles of being a student.
related to
connected with or relevant to something
Example
The book is related to the topic we discussed in class.
relate back to
to connect or refer to something previously mentioned
Example
This idea relates back to what we talked about earlier.

Origins of relate

from Latin 'relatus', meaning 'carried back'

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Summary: relate in Brief

The verb 'relate' [riˈleɪt] has three main meanings: to make a connection between two or more things, to tell someone about your experiences or feelings, and to understand and have sympathy for someone or something. It can be used in phrases like 'relate to' and 'related to,' as well as idioms like 'relate to someone like a duck to water,' which means to feel comfortable and natural with someone.