Synonym: declare, narrate, recite, recount, report, state, tell. Similar words: related, relation, relative, relatively, correlation, relationship, in relation to, relax. Meaning: [rɪ’leɪt] 
v. 1. make a logical or causal connection 2. have to do with or be relevant to 3. give an account of 4. be in a relationship with 5. have or establish a relationship to.
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1. His remarks didn’t relate to the topic under discussion.
2. I don’t understand how the two ideas relate.
3. No one can relate to me.
4. The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern’s ongoing work in this area.
5. Researchers are trying to relate low exam results and/to/with large class sizes.
6. Other recommendations relate to the details of how such data is stored.
7. The professor told his students to relate theory with practice.
8. I found it difficult to relate the two ideas in my mind.
9. The issues raised in the report relate directly to the ongoing work of the charity.
10. Our findings relate to physically rather than the visually handicapped pupils.
11. It is difficult to relate his argument to the facts.
12. Does the new law relate only to theft?
13. Laurie finds it difficult to relate to children.
14. Many adults can’t relate to children.
15. He is unable to relate to other people.
16. Only children often relate well to adults.
17. We must relate these principles to our everyday work.
18. I can’t relate those two ideas.
19. What he said did not relate with the facts.
20. Some adults can’t relate to children.
21. It is difficult to relate the two cases.
22. They can’t relate to modern literature.
22. Sentencedict.com try its best to collect and create good sentences.
23. The two brothers can’t relate to each other.
24. She doesn’t relate very well to her mother.
25. Attempts to relate studies on animals to those on humans are not really comparing like with like.
26. The charges of fraud relate to events that took place over ten years ago.
27. Can you relate what happened in your childhood to your present state of mind?
28. Our product needs an image that people can relate to.
29. When people are cut off from contact with others, they lose all ability to relate.
30. I found a very mixed group of individuals some of whom I could relate to and others with whom I had very little in common.
More similar words: related, relation, relative, relatively, correlation, relationship, in relation to, relax, revelation, elaborate, late, later, plate, lately, violate, isolate, isolated, regulate, percolate, insulated, calculate, speculate, stimulate, chocolate, translate, manipulate, articulate, contemplate, sooner or later, delay.
Definition of Relate
to feel sympathy for or identify with someone
Examples of Relate in a sentence
I could not relate to my friend’s misery in breaking up with his girlfriend, as I was still going steady with my first.
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An author should always try to create a protagonist that their readers can relate to, so they can feel personally invested in the main character’s success.
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You can only really relate to someone if you have experienced the same thing that they have, though that doesn’t prevent you from feeling empathy for their situation.
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Having lost my own pet at a young age, I could relate to the young boy whose dog had gotten lost in the woods.
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My friend and I relate to each other so well because we have both lived similar childhoods, out in the country working on farms.
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Other words in the Agreement category:
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verb (used with object), re·lat·ed, re·lat·ing.
to tell; give an account of (an event, circumstance, etc.).
to bring into or establish association, connection, or relation: to relate events to probable causes.
verb (used without object), re·lat·ed, re·lat·ing.
to have reference (often followed by to).
to have some relation (often followed by to).
to establish a social or sympathetic relationship with a person or thing: two sisters unable to relate to each other.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of relate
First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin relātus, past participle of referre “to carry back” (see refer)
synonym study for relate
1. Relate, recite, recount, rehearse mean to tell, report, or describe in some detail an occurrence or circumstance. To relate is to give an account of happenings, events, circumstances, etc.: to relate one’s adventures. To recite may mean to give details consecutively, but more often applies to the repetition from memory of something learned with verbal exactness: to recite a poem. To recount is usually to set forth consecutively the details of an occurrence, argument, experience, etc., to give an account in detail: to recount an unpleasant experience. Rehearse implies some formality and exactness in telling, sometimes with repeated performance as for practice before final delivery: to rehearse one’s side of a story.
OTHER WORDS FROM relate
re·lat·a·ble, adjectivere·lat·er, nounmis·re·late, verb, mis·re·lat·ed, mis·re·lat·ing.pre·re·late, verb (used with object), pre·re·lat·ed, pre·re·lat·ing.
un·re·lat·ing, adjective
Words nearby relate
relapse, relapsing fever, relata, relatability, relatable, relate, related, relation, relational, relational database, relations
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to relate
describe, detail, disclose, present, reveal, affect, apply, ascribe, assign, associate, compare, concern, connect, link, pertain, refer, chronicle, depict, divulge, express
How to use relate in a sentence
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This word can be used to describe something related to chemicals or chemistry.
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They are going to try to find out who did it, they wrote, but they pulled down all the parts of the story related to Gloria.
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Google, Facebook, and Twitter will be under increased pressure to control election-related misinformation, which the three have historically struggled to police.
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In a sense help with understanding if the fact check is related to the main topic of stories.
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Users typically have more than one question, and those questions are usually related to whatever stage they’re currently at in their buyer’s journey.
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Unsurprisingly many of the prized lots relate to the Second World War.
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I am not remotely embarrassed to relate he weighed just 9lb.
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That the song has become so indelible is likely owed to the fact that we can all sort of relate.
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The most important signals in the new cabinet thus far relate to the Kurds.
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We were drawn to music from the outside, so we are able to relate to the outside world.
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In this depraved state of mind he arrived at Perpignan, where that befell him which I am about to relate.
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I have dared to relate this to your Majesty because of my zeal as a loyal vassal, and as one who looks at things dispassionately.
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The tall policeman was an artist at the work; but it nearly brought him to a tragic end, as I will relate.
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So that (wonderful to relate) they had no sickness, although there was sufficient cause for it in the privations they suffered.
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This did not relate to the boilers; Trevithick unfortunately did not take out a patent for that improvement.
British Dictionary definitions for relate
verb
(tr) to tell or narrate (a story, information, etc)
(often foll by to) to establish association (between two or more things) or (of something) to have relation or reference (to something else)
(intr often foll by to) to form a sympathetic or significant relationship (with other people, things, etc)
Derived forms of relate
relatable, adjectiverelater, noun
Word Origin for relate
C16: from Latin relātus brought back, from referre to carry back, from re- + ferre to bear; see refer
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
These three nouns often have very similar meanings, but are sometimes used in slightly different ways. Judging by the number of questions asked about them on forums, learners can find them quite confusing. In fact I think it’s even difficult for a native speaker to explain the difference; we just trust our instincts. So let’s try to work them out.
Click and Drop — Where you see this sign, mouse over for instructions
1. Relations and relatives — members of the family
1a. When both relation and relative can be used
When we are talking about people who are in the same family as somebody else, these two words are interchangeable (and countable):
- They’ve invited all their friends and relations / relatives.
- She’s a relation / relative by marriage.
- He’s a close relation / relative of my wife’s.
1b. Only relation (uncountable) used
In the following type of sentences, with no and any, we use relation, not relative:
- She may look like me, but we’re no relation.
- Is Mary any relation to you?
1c. Only relative (countable) used
When we think of a family as a group of things, for example types of animal or plant, we use relative, not relation:
- The lion is a close relative of the tiger and the leopard.
- Despite their names, strawberries and raspberries are not close relatives.
Exercise 1 — Choose between relation, relative or either
| 1. | I have several ………. in the Unites States. | |
| relations relatives either | ||
| 2. | Debby is not any ………. to me, we’re just good friends. | |
| relation relative either | ||
| 3. | Peter isn’t a ………. of mine, we’re just classmates. | |
| relation relative either | ||
| 4. | The newt is a close ………. of the frog. | |
| relation relative either | ||
| 5. | Sammy often plays with Tommy at his house, but they’re no ……….. | |
| relation relative either | ||
| 6. | She’s a distant ………. of mine. | |
| relation relative either | ||
| 7. | Mojoceratops was a ………. of the triceratops which lived 75 million years ago. | |
| relation relative either |
It’s interesting to note that while relative is a fairly recent word, it seems to be gaining ground over relation, especially it would seem, in more formal writing.
2. Relations and relationships — the links between people, groups and countries.
2a. More general — relations
We use relations (plural) to talk in general about how countries and groups etc behave towards each other:
- The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Relations between the UK and the rest of the EU can get a bit strained.
- Teacher-pupil relations in this school are very relaxed.
- Much work is being done to improve doctor-patient relations.
2b. More specific — relationship
Relationship (usually singular) is more about a specific connection between two people and/or groups:
- British politicians like to talk of the special relationship with the US.
- The close relationship between France and Germany is at the heart of the EU.
- This teacher has a particularly good relationship with his pupils.
- The relationship between doctors and nurses is a crucial one in running a hospital.
Nouns and adjectives which collocate with relations
The following words are used with relations, but rarely with relationships, at least not in these contexts.
Exercise 2 — Complete the sentences with the appropriate words.
| 1. | When referring to the relationship between management and workers generally in a country, we usually talk about relations. | |
| 2. | But when we are talking specifically about management and trade unions, the term relations is often used instead. | |
| 3. | After its embassy was attacked by government-sponsored demonstrators, the British government broke off relations with the Middle-eastern country. | |
| 4. | Many countries have introduced relations legislation to counter discrimination against ethnic minorities. | |
| 5. | The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was a(n) relations disaster for BP. | |
| 6. | Most retailers have (n) relations department to deal with queries and complaints. | |
| 7. | Some organisations employ a(n) relations officer to deal with the media. | |
| 8. | Helping different ethnic, religious, cultural, political, or linguistic groups live together is sometimes called relations. | |
| 9. | One particular way of studying of how people interact with each other, especially in the workplace, is known as relations. | |
| 10. | Many public companies have a(n) relations department to give information to existing and potential shareholders. |
It would seem that with the expression between the two countries, relations is used more than relationship.
But as soon as we start talking of a close connection, relationship is now more usual.
3. Relations and relationships — the way in which things are connected.
3a. Either relation or relationship can be used (but see graphs below):
- The relation(ship) between smoking and lung disease is well understood.
- The relation(ship) of the fisherman to the sea.
- He’s studying youth unemployment and its relation(ship) to crime.
3b. Expressions with the verb bear
- The low salary bears no relation(ship) to the long hours.
- The French we were taught at school bore little relation(ship) to the language spoken in France.
- If what he’d said had borne any relation(ship) to the truth, he might have got off.
3c. The expression in relation to
This expression can mean ‘about / concerning’ (rather formal), or ‘compared with’:
- We have some doubts in relation to the wisdom of this move.
- The giraffe’s legs are very long in relation to its body size.
In this meaning, relationship seems to be taking over from relation.
But in expressions with the verb bear, relation seems to be more common.
The verb bear is often used with relation. It also collocates with certain other nouns.
Exercise 3 — Complete the expressions with the verb bear with suitable words from the box. Use the underlined prepositions to help you.
| 1. | I can’t bear the of losing you. | |
| 2. | It just doesn’t bear about. | |
| 3. | She had really hurt him, but he bore little towards her. | |
| 4. | In fact he never really bore a against anybody in his life. | |
| 5. | I can’t bear the he’s always smoking in the house. | |
| 6. | His latest film bears no with his brilliant early work. | |
| 7. | That joke just doesn’t bear , it’s so awful. | |
| 8. | He bore a distinct to his father. | |
| 9. | He had borne a lot of in his previous job. | |
| 10. | We were all in the wrong, you shouldn’t have to bear all the . | |
| 11. | They had to bear most of the of their son’s school fees. | |
| 12. | He still bears the from his last, disastrous relationship. |
4. Relationships — friendship, love and sex.
4a. The way in which two or more people feel and behave towards each other
- He has a very close relationship with his uncle.
- It’s a typical father-son relationship.
- She has a very good relationship with her employees.
4b. A close romantic friendship between two people, which is often sexual
- She’s in a new relationship.
- Have you had any serious relationships in the past year?
- He’s not really looking for a relationship right now.
- he would love to have a relationship with her.
4c. The family connection between people
- What’s your relationship to Sandy? We’re second cousins.
Note — Look at the difference between these two sentences:
- The judge asked the witness what the relationship was between her and the defendant.
- The judge asked the witness if she had had sexual relations with the defendant.
The second question is very specific, but the answer to the first question could be any of the following, and many more besides:
- I don’t know him from Adam.
- We’re old school chums.
- He’s my husband’s best mate.
- We’re just good friends.
- He’s my husband.
- He’s my brother
- We’re lovers
Collocations — adjectives often used with relationship.
Exercise 4 — Complete the sentences with the most appropriete adjectives. Be careful with casual and causal.
| 1. | I think they have quite a(n) relationship, they both see other people. | |
| 2. | Britain and France have a bit of a(n) relationship. Historically they’ve been both allies and bitter enemies. | |
| 3. | We have a good relationship with our suppliers. | |
| 4. | They’e in a(n) relationship and have been going out for a few months now. | |
| 5. | Do you think there’s a relationship between computer ‘shoot-em-up’ games and street violence? | |
| 6. | Ours is a strictly relationship. We hardly ever meet socially. | |
| 7. | He’s a bit fragile. He’s recovering from a relationship. | |
| 8. | It’s a bit of a(n) relationship; they’re always having rows. | |
| 9. | We’re related by marriage, but we don’t have a relationship. | |
| 10. | They seem to have rather a(n) relationship. One week they’re seeing other, the next it’s all over. And the next thing you know, they’re back together again. | |
| 11. | He has rather a relationship with his parents. They don’t really approve of his life choices. | |
| 12. | She has a very relationship with her granny and spends a lot of time with her. |
Idioms connected to relationships
Exercise 5 — Complete the sentences with appropriate words from the box.
| 1. | We got off on the wrong when we first met, but now we get on really well. | |
| 2. | Tim and the new chap are getting on a like a on fire. They’ll make a great team. | |
| 3. | I think you’re well there, mate. You can see that she likes you. | |
| 4. | It’s a stormy relationship; they’re always at with each other. | |
| 5. | He’s got a bit of a soft for the new girl. | |
| 6. | But unfortunately for him, she’s keeping him a bit at arm’s . | |
| 7. | Paul and Ryan don’t often see eye to eye things. | |
| 8. | Everybody has to be at the boss’s beck and ; it’s no way to run a department. | |
| 9. | They’ve had an argument and aren’t on speaking at the moment. | |
| 10. | Martin has taken the new starter under his and will make sure he doesn’t have any problems. | |
| 11. | It’s not difficult to see who wears the in that relationship. | |
| 12. | She keeps him totally her thumb. Poor bloke! |
Collocations — verbs to talk about relations and relationships.
Certain verbs are often used to talk about international and business relations, relationships etc.
Exercise 6 — Decide whether these verbs are positive or negative when talking about relations and relationships.
| Positive | Negative | Positive | Negative | ||||||
| 1. | break off | 11. | foster | ||||||
| 2. | build up | 12. | jeopardise | ||||||
| 3. | cement | 13. | maintain | ||||||
| 4. | cultivate | 14. | promote | ||||||
| 5. | cut off | 15. | restore | ||||||
| 6. | damage | 16. | resume | ||||||
| 7. | develop | 17. | sever | ||||||
| 8. | disrupt | 18. | sour | ||||||
| 9. | encourage | 19. | strengthen | ||||||
| 10. | establish | 20. | undermine |
Which two of those verbs suggest starting relations again after some sort of break? Enter them in the same order as they appear in the list.
Which four verbs suggest that relations were stopped, even if only temporarily. Again enter them in order.
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. |
Which four verbs suggest that good relations are in danger. Again enter them in order.
| 7. | ||
| 8. | ||
| 9. | ||
| 10. |
Exercise 7 — Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.
| 1. | We are trying to good relations through regular contacts with our opposite numbers. | |
| jeopardise — cultivate — cut off | ||
| 2. | Relations between the two countries were when a spy plane was shot down. | |
| cemented — disrupted — established | ||
| 3. | We like to close relationships with all our key clients. | |
| maintain — sever — sour | ||
| 4. | Relations between management and unions have as both sides have increasingly retreated into their own corners. | |
| strengthened — developed — soured | ||
| 5. | After a year’s break they have their relationship with their previous supplier. | |
| fostered — resumed — undermined | ||
| 6. | Although this is a new market for the company, they have already close relationships with local suppliers. | |
| severed — established — damaged | ||
| 7. | Any more anti-British actions will seriously relations between the two countries. | |
| cement — break off — jeopardise | ||
| 8. | They their new relationship by announcing a joint venture. | |
| cemented — soured — undermined | ||
| 9. | Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been after a two-year break. | |
| broken off — restored — fostered | ||
| 10. | Cancellation of some debt as well as increased investment has helped good relations with this part of Africa. | |
| sever — foster — damage | ||
| 11. | Relations between the UK and the rest of Europe are constantly by the anti-EU section of the British press. | |
| restored — undermined — cultivated | ||
| 12. | The company has relations with the star of its advertising campaign after complaints about his drunken behaviour in public. | |
| damaged — severed — encouraged |
Links
- BBC Learning English
- Breaking News English — A lesson on men and rocky relationships
- Bogglesworld — Crosswords and other activities
- My English Teacher Blog — Various examples
Answers
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Пожалуйста помогите,срочно нужно!!!Complete the sentences using the derivatives of the words on the right
Слова которые нужно вставить : pronounce,globe,help,interpret,America,polite,mean,fashion,disappoint,relate,(use,decide),effect.
1.Correct . . . is very important when you learn a foreign leanguage.
2.English has become the . . . lenguage of the 21st century.
3.Thanks,you have been most . . . .
4.She works as an . . .
5.I dont think you can read books by English or . . . authors in the original.
6.Its . . . to tern your back on the person when he or she speaks to you.
7.Whats the . . . of this word?
8.I would like to buy a new fashion (это я знаю) dress.
9.The old lady looked . . .
10. Are the boys . . . to each other?They look very much alike.
11.That was an absolutely . . . meeting.No . . . was taken.
12.I dont think these methods can be . . . .