associate Definition
- 1to connect someone or something in your mind with someone or something else
- 2to spend time with someone or a group of people in a friendly way
- 3a person who you work with, do business with, or who is a friend
Using associate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "associate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I always associate the smell of freshly baked bread with my grandmother's house.
Example
He associates with a group of artists and musicians.
Example
She is an associate at the law firm.
Example
We are looking for an associate to join our team.
associate Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for associate
Idioms Using associate
the idea that someone is guilty of something because they are associated with someone who is guilty of it
Example
He was fired from his job because of guilt by association with a coworker who was caught stealing.
to become involved with or connected to someone or something
Example
She didn't want to associate herself with the controversial project.
Example
Many people associate the color red with passion and love.
Phrases with associate
Example
She earned an associate degree in business administration.
a faculty member at a college or university who ranks above an assistant professor and below a full professor
Example
He was recently promoted to associate professor of physics.
an editor who is responsible for a particular section of a publication or who works under the direction of an editor-in-chief
Example
She started as an associate editor at the magazine and worked her way up to editor-in-chief.
Origins of associate
from Latin 'associatus', meaning 'joined with'
Summary: associate in Brief
To 'associate' [əˈsoʊʃieɪt] is to connect someone or something in your mind with someone or something else, or to spend time with someone or a group of people in a friendly way. It can also refer to a person who you work with, do business with, or who is a friend. Phrases like 'associate degree' and 'associate professor' denote specific academic ranks, while idioms like 'guilt by association' and 'associate oneself with someone/something' convey negative and positive connotations, respectively.