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Added 8 October 2026

associate

/əˈsəʊʃi.ət/ adjective

In Latin: collēga Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about associate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Joined with another or others and having lower status.
The associate editor is someone who has some experience in editing but not sufficient experience to qualify for a senior post.
Having partial status or privileges.
He is an associate member of the club.
Following or accompanying; concomitant.

noun

A person united with another or others in an act, enterprise, or business; a partner or employee.
Allow me to introduce my business associates, Alice and Bob, who are senior VPs for ops and strategy, respectively.
Somebody with whom one works, coworker, colleague.
A companion; a comrade.

verb

To join in or form a league, union, or association.
To spend time socially; keep company.
She associates with her coworkers on weekends.
To join as a partner, ally, or friend.
He associated his name with many environmental causes.

Origin

From Middle English associat(e) (used participially as well as adjectively up to Early Modern English), from Latin associātus, the perfect passive participle of associō (“to join, unite”), from ad- + sociō, from socius (“shared, common, kindred”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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