Correlate
/ˈkɒrəleɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo have a mutual relationship or connection; to establish a mutual or reciprocal relationship or connection between.
/ˈkɒrəleɪt/
To have a mutual relationship or connection.
Scientists correlate climate change with rising sea levels.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking at two things. If one thing goes up, and the other thing usually goes up too, they correlate! Like how ice cream sales and sunshine often go up at the same time.
👶 For kids: To see how two things are connected. If one thing happens, does the other thing happen too?
More Examples
The detective correlated the evidence and built a strong case.
We need to correlate these two datasets to understand the trends.
The study will correlate the students' scores on the test with their attendance.
How It's Used
"Researchers correlate the data to find patterns."
"The study attempts to correlate smoking with lung cancer."
Either of two things so related that one implies or is complementary to the other.
/ˈkɒrəleɪt/
In that philosophical system, freedom and responsibility are considered correlates.
💡 Simply: Think of two things that always go together. If you have one, you automatically have the other. Like left and right—they're correlates. If you have one, the other has to be there too.
👶 For kids: Two things that belong together, like a pair.
More Examples
The study identified poverty and crime as socioeconomic correlates.
In the experiment, the researcher measured the correlates between the two subjects.
The art critic explored the visual correlates in the artist’s work.
How It's Used
"Subject and object are fundamental correlates in epistemology."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
correlate with
To establish a mutual relationship or connection with something else.
"Studies show that higher education often correlates with higher income."
From Late Latin *correlatus*, past participle of *correlare* 'to have a mutual relationship', from *com-* 'together' + *relatus*, past participle of *referre* 'to relate'.
The word 'correlate' has been used since the 17th century, initially referring to reciprocal or complementary relationships.
Memory tip
Think of 'co-' meaning together and 'relate'. It means to relate things together.
Word Origin
"to have a mutual relationship"