Associating
/əˈsoʊʃieɪtɪŋ/
verbIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To connect (someone or something) in one's mind with something else.
/əˈsoʊʃieɪtɪŋ/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
Connecting or relating things mentally
I associate the color red with danger.
💡 Simply: To link ideas or things together in your mind.
More Examples
2
She is associating with the wrong crowd.
How It's Used
Psychology
"The patient was associating the smell of lavender with feelings of calm."
General
"I associate summer with sunshine and beaches."
From Middle English *associen, from Old French *associer, from Latin *associāre, from *ad- 'to' + *sociāre 'to join'.
The word's use has remained relatively consistent throughout history, focusing on the mental connection between things.
Memory tip
Think of 'sociate' – to be with others; associating is mentally connecting.
Practice
Base: associate
assosiatingasociatingassociatting
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written