Associating: meaning, definitions and examples

To describe the process of making a mental connection or placing together in one's mind, often used when discussing thoughts, ideas, or memories.

• When I think of summer, I end up associating it with the smell of sunscreen
• People often have a hard time associating failure with the opportunity to learn

Employed when physically or conceptually joining two or more things; common in technical, interpersonal, and abstract contexts.

• Engineers are working to connect the new power grid to the existing infrastructure
• It's easy to connect with friends through social media

Typically used for a direct, often physical or electronic, connection between things or concepts; also frequent in digital contexts.

• We need to link our website to the new online payment system
• There's a clear link between smoking and lung cancer

Used when describing the relationship or relevance between subjects, ideas, or people, often emphasizing understanding or context.

• She can easily relate to the struggles of the students because she once faced similar challenges
• The book attempts to relate economic theories to real-world scenarios

Use this word when one is connecting with others in a more formal or business-like manner. It implies creating relationships, often for mutual benefit or professional reasons.

• She enjoys associating with industry experts at conferences.
• He has been associating with the new business partners to discuss the deal.

This term is used for someone who is interacting with others in a relaxed and friendly way, usually for enjoyment. It's often associated with spending time in social gatherings.

• She loves to socialize with friends on the weekends.
• They encourage new employees to socialize to build team spirit.

Often used when referring to people blending into a group or social activity. It can be used for both formal and informal settings but usually implies a more general interaction.

• He finds it easy to mix with people from different backgrounds.
• The new student tried to mix with the rest of the class.