relate
verb
re·late ri-ˈlāt 
related; relating
transitive verb
1
: to give an account of : tell
2
: to show or establish logical or causal connection between
seeks to relate crime to poverty
intransitive verb
1
: to apply or take effect retroactively —usually used with back
the law relates back to the initial date of decision
2
: to have relationship or connection
the readings relate to his lectures
3
: to have or establish a relationship : interact
the way a child relates to a teacher
4
a
: to respond especially favorably
can't relate to that kind of music
b
: to understand and like or have sympathy for someone or something
Those who have experienced the same hardship can relate.
characters the reader can easily relate to
relater noun
or relator
ri-ˈlā-tər
Synonyms
- bond
- click
- commune
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
You must be feeling awful. I went through something similar myself last year, so I can relate. We listened eagerly as she related the whole exciting story.
Recent Examples on the Web Simmons, a former All-SEC and All-America offensive lineman at Auburn, could relate to what Brahms was going through. 
Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2022 Tebo 1’s grave, usually relate to something the deceased person did in life. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 7 Sep. 2022 Some of the most significant differences between the prosecution proffer and the actual testimony relate to Freeman himself. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 At another home, a woman spoke of how many family members died in the last two years — something the Siderises could relate to, both of them having lost parents recently. Deepa Bharath, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 Very few laws in the US even relate to data brokers, let alone constrain their actions. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 Coaching could follow, and the recruiting part is something Murray can relate to. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 17 Aug. 2022 The underlying message of being true to yourself and fully embracing who are you is something everybody can relate to no matter their age. Joey Morona, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 The best Netflix shows for teens try to say something about those fleeting high-school feelings, giving kids something to relate to. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 22 Apr. 2022 See More
Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2022 Tebo 1’s grave, usually relate to something the deceased person did in life. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 7 Sep. 2022 Some of the most significant differences between the prosecution proffer and the actual testimony relate to Freeman himself. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 At another home, a woman spoke of how many family members died in the last two years — something the Siderises could relate to, both of them having lost parents recently. Deepa Bharath, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 Very few laws in the US even relate to data brokers, let alone constrain their actions. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 Coaching could follow, and the recruiting part is something Murray can relate to. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 17 Aug. 2022 The underlying message of being true to yourself and fully embracing who are you is something everybody can relate to no matter their age. Joey Morona, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 The best Netflix shows for teens try to say something about those fleeting high-school feelings, giving kids something to relate to. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 22 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin relatus (past participle of referre to carry back), from re- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing relate
Kids Definition
relate
verb
re·late ri-ˈlāt
related; relating
1
: to give an account of : narrate
Each time he … cawed several times as if he were relating his adventures … Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden2
: to show or have a relationship to or between : connect
The events are related.
The lesson relates to history.
Medical Definition
relate
intransitive verb
re·late ri-ˈlāt
related; relating
: to have meaningful social relationships : interact realistically
an inability to relate emotionally to others Willow Lawson
Willow Lawsonrelates
verb
1
as in communes
to form a close personal relationship she and I relate so well it's almost like we're siblings Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- communes
- bonds
- sympathizes
- hits it off
- befriends
- identifies
- clicks
- empathizes
2
as in describes
to give an oral or written account of in some detail we asked our uncle to relate the story of his visit to communist Russia many years ago Synonyms & Similar Words
- describes
- chronicles
- tells
- narrates
- recounts
- reports
- recites
- depicts
- sets forth
- rehearses
- details
- charts
- states
- discloses
- expresses
- reveals
- voices
- enumerates
- particularizes
- utters
- itemizes
- divulges
- exposes
- delineates
- delivers
- gives
- renders
- reels off
- bares
- sketches
- lets on (about)
3
as in pertains
to have a relation or connection how does your comment relate to what the rest of us have been talking about for the last hour? Synonyms & Similar Words
- pertains
- applies
- refers
- involves
- appertains
- affects
- connects
- concerns
- interests
- touches
- has to do with
- bears
- interrelates
- links
- associates
- ties in
- couples
- treats
- deals (with)
4
as in correlates
to think of (something) in combination most Americans probably relate tea to the United Kingdom and coffee to the U.S. Synonyms & Similar Words
- correlates
- identifies
- connects
- equates
- compares
- associates
- links
- likens
- groups
- ties (together)
- joins
- lumps (together)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distinguishes
- differentiates
- contrasts
- separates
- discriminates
- sets off