Relations: meaning, definitions and examples

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relations

 

[ rɪˈleɪʃənz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

family

The way in which two or more people or things are connected; a thing's effect on or relevance to another

Synonyms

association, bond, connection, link, tie.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
relations

Often used to describe the interactions and connections between people, groups, or countries. It can refer to both personal and professional interactions.

  • The relations between the two countries have improved recently
  • Her relations with her colleagues are very good
connection

A general term used to describe the state of being linked, whether it's emotional, professional, or physical. It is broad and can be used in various contexts.

  • I feel a deep connection with my hometown
  • The internet connection is very slow today
association

Typically refers to a group of people organized for a joint purpose or an idea of being connected to something. Also can denote a mental connection between ideas or concepts.

  • He is a member of the local sport association
  • He made an association between the two theories
link

Often refers to a direct or tangible connection between things, people, or concepts. Frequently used in technology and relationships.

  • There is no clear link between the two events
  • Click on this link to access the website
tie

Conveys a sense of binding or fastening together, often in a figurative sense relating to relationships or obligations. It can have both positive and negative connotations.

  • They have strong family ties
  • His business ties to the company are very discreet
bond

Describes a strong connection between people, usually implying emotional closeness or shared experiences. Can also refer to a connection in a financial or physical sense.

  • There is a strong bond between the mother and her child
  • They formed a bond over their love of music

Examples of usage

  • He was investigating his relation to the famous painter.
  • The study will assess the relation between temperature and crop yield.
  • They have a close relation to each other.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

A property that associates two quantities in a particular order; a set of ordered pairs

Synonyms

association, correspondence, link.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
relations

Used to describe the connections and interactions between people, countries, or groups.

  • The relations between the two countries have improved
  • Family relations can be complicated
correspondence

Used to describe the act of communicating through letters or emails, or the relationship between two matching entities.

  • She has maintained a long-term correspondence with her pen pal
  • There is a clear correspondence between the two sets of data
association

Often refers to a connection or bond between ideas, people, or things, often in a formal or organized context.

  • Her association with that club has brought her many new opportunities
  • There is a strong association between smoking and lung cancer
link

Refers to a connection between two things, often used metaphorically or in a digital context.

  • There is a link between diet and health
  • Click on the link to visit our website

Examples of usage

  • In the relation y = 3x, y is directly proportional to x.
  • The relation {(1, 2), (3, 4)} includes pairs of numbers.
Context #3 | Noun

kinship

A person who is connected by blood or marriage; a relative

Synonyms

family member, kinsman, kinswoman, relative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
relations

Used broadly to refer to connections by blood or marriage, often in a social or formal context. Suitable for general conversations or when discussing family dynamics.

  • He has good relations with all his extended family.
  • Family relations can be complicated.
relative

A common word used to denote any family member, regardless of gender, often in both casual and formal settings.

  • She invited all her relatives to the wedding.
  • I have a relative who lives in France.
family member

Use this term when referring to someone who is part of a person's immediate family. It's commonly used in both casual and formal settings.

  • Every family member attended the reunion.
  • She is a close family member.
kinsman

An older or more formal term for a male relative. It is often used in historical or literary contexts.

  • He sought the advice of his kinsman.
  • The estate was inherited by his nearest kinsman.
kinswoman

An older or more formal term for a female relative. It is often found in historical or literary contexts.

  • Her kinswoman visited her every summer.
  • The queen was accompanied by her loyal kinswoman.

Examples of usage

  • She is my distant relation.
  • He invited all his relations to the wedding.

Translations

Translations of the word "relations" in other languages:

🇵🇹 relações

🇮🇳 संबंध

🇩🇪 Beziehungen

🇮🇩 hubungan

🇺🇦 відносини

🇵🇱 relacje

🇯🇵 関係

🇫🇷 relations

🇪🇸 relaciones

🇹🇷 ilişkiler

🇰🇷 관계

🇸🇦 علاقات

🇨🇿 vztahy

🇸🇰 vzťahy

🇨🇳 关系

🇸🇮 odnosi

🇮🇸 tengsl

🇰🇿 қатынастар

🇬🇪 ურთიერთობები

🇦🇿 əlaqələr

🇲🇽 relaciones

Etymology

The word 'relations' has its origin in the Latin word 'relationem', which means 'a bringing back'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a variety of meanings, including connections between people, mathematical associations, and kinship ties. The concept of relations is fundamental to human interactions, mathematical equations, and family bonds.

See also: interrelated, relatable, relating, relation, relationship, relative, relatively, unrelated.

Word Frequency Rank

At #836 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.