WordGarden.iointerrelate
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɪntərɪlˈeɪt/
US
- /ˌɪntərɪˈleɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to be connected with each other or to connect things with each other
Beyond the definition
Just like the gears in a clock, things interrelate when they connect and influence one another. A detective might investigate how different clues interrelate to solve a mystery, while a biologist studies how species interrelate within an ecosystem. It's about seeing the connections between parts that may seem separate at first.
Think of it like a web—pull on one strand, and you feel it throughout the whole structure. If your mood and sleep patterns interrelate, meaning when you're stressed you don't sleep well (and vice versa), that's an example of how things can be connected in a meaningful way. The term is also frequently used to describe how people relate to one another or how different abstract ideas connect.
To interrelate means to have a mutual connection or influence on one another; to be linked together in a significant way. It goes beyond simple association—it suggests that changes in one thing will likely cause changes in the others. For example: "The economy and the job market interrelate closely," meaning improvements in one area often lead to improvements in the other.
Interrelate isn't just about physical connections, but also conceptual or emotional ones. You might say that her paintings show how themes of nature and spirituality interrelate, suggesting that these ideas are woven together within her artwork. It's frequently used when discussing complex systems where multiple factors play a role, like in sociology, psychology, or ecology. A sociologist might study how different social groups interrelate to understand social dynamics.
The word implies a dynamic relationship; it's not just that things are connected, but that they actively affect each other. It's about recognizing the intricate web of connections that exist around us and understanding how those connections shape our world.
Consider this: The health of the rainforest interrelates with global climate patterns—deforestation in one area can have far-reaching consequences for weather systems worldwide. That's a powerful example of how deeply things can be interrelated.
Examples
- 1
Ecosystem
In a healthy forest, plants, animals, soil, and water all interrelate.
- 2
Social problems
The report explains how poverty and poor health interrelate.
- 3
Public policy
Education policy interrelates with housing, transport, and childcare.
- 4
Complex problems
These problems are closely interrelated, so we cannot solve one without thinking about the others.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- interrelate with
- closely interrelated
- interrelated factors
- how things interrelate
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- interrelateverb
Forms
- interrelatedpast tenseverb
- interrelatesverb
- interrelating-ing formverb