Relate
/rɪˈleɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo narrate or tell a story or information.
/rɪˈleɪt/
To tell or report (something).
The witness related a detailed account of the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're telling your friend what happened at the party. You're 'relating' the story! It's like sharing the details.
👶 For kids: To tell a story or tell someone what happened.
More Examples
She related how she met her husband.
He refused to relate the secret.
How It's Used
"He related the events of the evening to the police."
"The journalist related the facts of the case accurately."
To connect or associate things or people; to establish a relationship.
/rɪˈleɪt/
To show or establish a connection between things or people.
Scientists are trying to relate climate change to extreme weather.
💡 Simply: It's like seeing how two things fit together. Like, how eating sweets 'relates' to getting cavities – they're connected!
👶 For kids: To see how two things are connected.
More Examples
He couldn't relate to the struggles of his employees.
Can you relate the symptoms to the illness?
How It's Used
"The therapist helped the patient relate past experiences to present behaviors."
"The study related poverty to poor health outcomes."
To be able to understand and have sympathy for; to empathize with.
/rɪˈleɪt/
To understand and feel sympathy or empathy for.
I can't relate to his experiences because I've never been through anything similar.
💡 Simply: Do you get someone's feelings? Can you understand what they're going through? If so, you 'relate' to them!
👶 For kids: To understand someone and know what they are feeling.
More Examples
She found it difficult to relate to the young children.
It's hard to relate to those who are very different than us.
How It's Used
"Many readers couldn't relate to the characters' problems."
"I find it hard to relate to people who are constantly complaining."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
relate to
To understand and feel sympathy or empathy for someone or something.
"I can't relate to the characters in this book; their problems seem so distant."
related to
Connected to or associated with (someone or something).
"The investigation is related to the recent financial scandal."
From Latin *relatus*, past participle of *referre* 'to bring back, report'. The word evolved through Old French and Middle English, taking on meanings related to connection and reporting.
The word 'relate' has been used for centuries, initially focusing on reporting and telling accounts. The sense of connection and empathy developed later.
Memory tip
Think of a story 'relating' information to someone else.
Word Origin
"to bring back, report"