associates
associates — verb
1. to naturally think of one person, thing, or idea when another one is mentioned o
to naturally think of one person, thing, or idea when another one is mentioned or seen
Rafael associates the smell of oranges with winter trips to Tainan.
associate A with B pattern
The public associates white coats with doctors and hospital care.
Our son associates this song with long drives to his grandparents' farm.
The brand now associates green packaging with cleaner everyday products.
- separate
focuses on keeping two ideas apart
文法句型
associate A with B
用法筆記
Usually takes the pattern "associate A with B". Unlike sense 3, this sense is about a thought or impression, not social contact.
常見錯誤
2. to spend time with a person or group, or to be known as part of their circle
to spend time with a person or group, or to be known as part of their circle
Beatrix no longer associates with the group from her gambling days.
associate with + group
The senator rarely associates with lobbyists outside public meetings.
Our pastor associates with local volunteers after the food drive.
The singer still associates with classmates from her first band.
- mix
often suggests moving among a group socially
- socialize
more neutral and often more cheerful
- keep company
slightly more formal and often used in warnings
- avoid
means staying away from the person or group
文法句型
associate with + person/group
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'with'. This sense can suggest that someone's social circle affects how other people judge them.
常見錯誤
3. to link one thing to another in a record, system, or set so they belong together
to link one thing to another in a record, system, or set so they belong together
The app associates each photo with the correct date automatically.
system mapping: item with data
This code associates every package with a delivery address.
The museum tag associates the vase with its original tomb.
The chart associates each warning light with one engine problem.
- disconnect
means removing the link between items
文法句型
associate A with B in a system
用法筆記
This sense is used for formal linking in records, labels, or systems. Unlike sense 1, the connection is built into an arrangement rather than formed in someone's mind.
常見錯誤
associates — noun
1. people connected to someone through work, business, or regular social contact
people connected to someone through work, business, or regular social contact
The mayor arrived with two business associates from Kaohsiung.
business associates
Police questioned several close associates after the robbery.
Nora invited former associates to the studio opening on Friday.
Several overseas associates sent flowers when the founder retired.
- colleagues
usually means people in the same workplace or profession
- partners
suggests a closer shared role or joint responsibility
- contacts
weaker and often just means useful people you know
用法筆記
This sense is broad and can cover social, business, or professional ties. It is wider than sense 2, which is specifically about rank inside an organization.
2. workers or members who hold a lower rank inside a company or professional group
workers or members who hold a lower rank inside a company or professional group
The company moved its newest associates into the training office upstairs.
employees of lower rank
Holiday sales kept the store associates busy until midnight.
New associates must finish safety training before serving customers.
The museum sent its junior associates to free research workshops.
- executives
people at the top of an organization
用法筆記
Common in American business settings, especially for newer or lower-ranking staff. Unlike sense 1, it names a job or membership level rather than a general relationship.
3. people who have completed a two-year college program and received that degree
people who have completed a two-year college program and received that degree
Many associates transfer to state universities after two years.
graduates of a two-year program
The dean congratulated the associates from the dental program.
Several associates found office jobs before starting bachelor's degrees.
Local firms often recruit associates from the college's IT department.
- graduates
broader because it can refer to any completed degree
- degree holders
formal phrase that keeps the academic focus
用法筆記
Used mainly in American education. It refers to people who hold an associate's degree, not to staff rank in a company.