relationnoun
uk/rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/us/rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/relation noun (FRIENDSHIP)
relations [ plural ]
More examples
- I think she's a relation of theirs.
- They're not blood relations, - they're only connected by marriage.
- Scientists eventually proved a relation between smoking and lung cancer.
- Police are investigating a possible relation between the murder and a robbery that took place last year.
- The painting bears almost no relation to the scene it's supposed to portray.
- We've seen a continuing deterioration in relations between the two countries.
- The collapse of Communism changed East-West relations for ever.
- We're entering a new phase in international relations.
- We are on the threshold of a new era in European relations.
- This settlement will resolve one of the most vexatious problems in the field of industrial relations.
B2 the way in which two people or groups of people feel and behave towards each other:
Relations between him and his new wife are rather strained.
formal Britain enjoys friendly relations with Canada.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Relationships: general words
- bond
- bromance
- close
- communion
- dalliance
- esprit de corps
- human relations
- interpersonal
- intimate 1
- involved
- love-hate relationship
- mixed
- old
- platonic
- relationship
- steady
- tie
- well connected
relation noun (CONNECTION)
B2 [ U ] the connection or similarity between two things:
The relation between the original book and this new film is very faint.
She bears no relation to (= she is not similar to) her brother.
in/with relation to sth
B2 in connection with something:
She used the map to discover where she was in relation to her surroundings.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linking and relating
- affiliated
- AL
- appertain to sth
- applicable
- apply
- associate
- associated
- bond
- connection
- context
- interconnected
- interplay
- interrelate
- interrelationship
- kindred
- the same/that goes for sb/sth idiom
- tie (sth) in
- tie-in
- tie-up
- topology
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Regarding and concerning
relation noun (FAMILY MEMBER)
B1 [ C ] a member of your family:
The funeral was attended by friends and relations.
She's a relation by marriage because she married my cousin.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Family: relations in general
- aunt
- auntie
- baby daddy
- be sb's own flesh and blood idiom
- birth mother
- fatherhood
- filial
- first cousin
- fraternal
- fraternal twin
- long-lost
- loved one
- maiden aunt
- maternal
- matriarch
- son
- uncle
- working mother/father/parent
- your nearest and dearest idiom
- your own flesh and blood idiom
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Idiom(s)
have (sexual) relations (with sb)