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Associating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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associating

[əˈsoʊ.si.eɪtɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in psychology

To link or connect ideas, feelings, or memories with a particular person, object, or situation. This process can influence our behavior and decision-making.

Synonyms

connect, link, relate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
associating

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
connect

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
link

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
relate

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

Examples of usage

  • The therapist helped the patient by associating positive memories with the stressful situation.
  • Children often associate the color red with danger.
Context #2 | Verb

in a social context

To spend time with someone or be connected with a particular group or organization. It implies a close relationship or connection.

Synonyms

mingle, mix, socialize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
associating

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.
socialize

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.
mix

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.

Examples of usage

  • She enjoys associating with people who share her interests.
  • He is known for associating with influential figures in the industry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • This process helps people remember things better, allowing connections to form in memory.
  • Associating different ideas can lead to creative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Psychologists use association techniques to help people overcome fears and phobias.

Teaching and Learning

  • In education, teachers often use associating as a strategy to help students recall information faster.
  • Gamification in learning relies heavily on association, linking fun activities to educational content.
  • Mnemonics are tools that use associating to help remember sequences or lists.

Cognitive Science

  • The human brain is wired to create associations, which is essential for language development.
  • Studying how people associate words reveals insights into cultural differences in thought processes.
  • Neuroscience shows that when we learn, our brains make new connections and pathways through association.

Cultural References

  • In literature, characters often associate objects or places with memories, enhancing the story's emotional depth.
  • The concept of associating is prevalent in advertising, where brands connect with consumers' emotions or lifestyles.
  • Many cultures use storytelling to create associations between lessons and morals, making them easier to remember.

Technology

  • In computer science, associating is a key concept in artificial intelligence for developing recommendation systems.
  • Search engines utilize associative algorithms to match user queries with relevant data efficiently.
  • Machine learning relies on association patterns to improve accuracy in predictive models.

Origin of 'associating'

The word 'associate' comes from the Latin word 'associare', which means 'to join with'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to a person who is united with another in an action or pursuit. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various meanings related to connection, relationship, and partnership.

See also: associate, associated, associates, association, disassociate, disassociated, dissociate, unassociated.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,241, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.