Definition, synonyms and related words
simple past tense and past participle of associate
"The company was associated with several scandals after the documents were leaked."
In plain English: To associate something means to connect it with another thing in your mind.
"The company is associated with several local charities."
Usage: Use "associated" to describe something or someone that has been connected or linked to another in the past. Do not confuse this with the adjective form when you need to say two things are currently related; simply use the verb "associate."
connected with something or another person.
"The new marketing campaign was immediately associated with the brand's recent reputation issues by critics."
In plain English: Associated means being connected or linked to something else.
"The red car is associated with danger in his mind."
Usage: Use "associated" as an adjective to describe a noun that has a connection or relationship with something else, such as being linked by reputation or circumstance. Avoid using it to mean "related" in the sense of family ties unless specifically referring to professional or social links.
Derived from Latin associatus, the past participle of associare meaning "to join together," it originally described people who were linked by common interests or profession. The term entered English in the mid-16th century to denote a state of being connected or allied with others.