relationship
/rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈlā-shən-ˌship/ (ame, mw)
relationship — noun
- relationshipsingular
- relationshipsplural
1. The way two or more separate things, ideas, or events affect each other or are l
The way two or more separate things, ideas, or events affect each other or are linked together.
Scientists have found a clear relationship between sleep quality and memory retention.
relationship between [noun] and [noun]
There appears to be no direct relationship between the two events.
no relationship — negated pattern
Economists study the relationship between supply and demand in every market.
A close relationship exists between how much you practice and how well you perform.
- connection
broader and more neutral; a connection can be looser than a relationship
- link
suggests a more direct, causal tie between two things
- correlation
formal and statistical, used mainly in scientific or research contexts
- disconnection
the absence of any link or association
- independence
suggests two things operate completely separately
文法句型
relationship between [plural noun] and [plural noun]
用法筆記
Often paired with 'between' when comparing two variables or phenomena, as in 'relationship between X and Y.' The adjective 'direct,' 'inverse,' 'close,' or 'causal' frequently appears before the noun.
常見錯誤
2. How individuals, communities, and nations connect and interact with one another
How individuals, communities, and nations connect and interact with one another over time.
Kabir has built a strong working relationship with his new manager.
working relationship — professional context
The two countries ended their diplomatic relationship after years of disagreement.
diplomatic relationship — between countries
Valentina maintains a positive relationship with all of her classmates.
The librarian's relationship with her neighbours improved after she organised a street festival.
A good relationship between teachers and parents helps children succeed at school.
- estrangement
a state where people who were once close have become distant
- hostility
active opposition or unfriendliness between parties
文法句型
[adjective] relationship with [someone]
relationship between [people/groups]
用法筆記
Commonly paired with adjectives that describe the quality of the connection, such as 'close,' 'good,' 'strained,' 'professional,' or 'working.' For formal or distant interactions, 'diplomatic' or 'business' is used.
常見錯誤
3. A close romantic or sexual connection between two people who are dating or invol
A close romantic or sexual connection between two people who are dating or involved with each other.
Sirin and Theo have been in a relationship for nearly three years.
in a relationship — common collocation
After dating for six months, Megan and Tyler decided to make their relationship official.
Christopher asked Nala if he wanted to start a relationship with her.
Long-distance relationships can be difficult, but many couples find ways to make them work.
Élise ended her relationship with her boyfriend because they wanted different things in life.
- romance
focuses more on love and passion than the partnership itself
- partnership
more formal; can refer to romantic or business connections
- affair
implies a secret or temporary romantic relationship, often outside an existing partnership
- breakup
the end of a romantic relationship
- separation
a period or state of being apart, often before a formal end
文法句型
be in a relationship with [someone]
have a relationship with [someone]
用法筆記
Typically used with the verb 'be in' (be in a relationship) or 'start/end/have a relationship.' For married couples, 'marriage' is more specific and commonly used instead.
常見錯誤
4. A complicated connection with someone or something that involves both strong pos
A complicated connection with someone or something that involves both strong positive and strong negative feelings at the same time.
Nala has a love-hate relationship with social media — she loves connecting but hates the distraction.
love-hate relationship with [something]
Many long-distance runners develop a love-hate relationship with early morning training.
The film director had a love-hate relationship with the screenwriter, admiring his talent but fighting over every scene.
The actor describes a love-hate relationship with the city, calling it beautiful but exhausting.
- mixed feelings
less intense and more general; describes any combination of positive and negative emotions
- ambivalence
formal term for holding conflicting emotions about something at the same time
文法句型
have a love-hate relationship with [someone/something]
用法筆記
Almost always used as the fixed expression 'love-hate relationship.' The compound adjective is hyphenated. This sense rarely appears without the 'love-hate' modifier.
常見錯誤
5. A connection between people who share the same family, through blood, marriage,
A connection between people who share the same family, through blood, marriage, or adoption.
Sivan has a close relationship with his cousin, almost like brothers.
close relationship — family context
The social worker drew a diagram showing all the family relationships on the tree.
The researcher discovered a surprising relationship to a famous painter from the 1800s.
The lawyer's relationship to the judge was distant, so the trial continued without any change.
- kinship
formal term for family connection, often used in anthropology or legal contexts
- blood tie
specifically refers to genetic or birth-family connections
- family connection
the most general and neutral alternative
- estrangement
a state of being cut off from family members
文法句型
relationship to [someone]
relationship between [people]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to' when naming a specific family member (relationship to my grandfather) or 'between' for comparing two people's positions on a family tree. Do not use 'relationship' to refer to the person themselves — use 'relative' instead.