relationship
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪlˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
US
- /riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/
Meanings
Noun
an ongoing romantic partnership
the way two or more people are connected or deal with each other
a connection, correlation, or pattern linking things or ideas
Beyond the definition
A relationship is the way two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected. Think of it like a bridge: it links one point to another. It is not only about romance. You can have this kind of connection with family, friends, coworkers, or even a pet. The word is also used for things, such as the connection between cause and effect. A strong one may be built on trust and effort, while a strained one may need care and repair.
The word "relationship" describes the way two or more people, groups, or things are connected. It is more than simply knowing someone; it includes how people interact, how they feel about each other, and the role they have in each other's lives. The most familiar examples are personal ones: romantic partnerships, family ties, and friendships. These often involve emotional closeness, shared experiences, and some degree of commitment. "Their relationship blossomed over years of shared adventures."
However, "relationship" is not limited to people. You can have a professional relationship with colleagues, built on respect and cooperation. A company might have a business relationship with its suppliers. The word is also used for ideas, facts, or events, as in the relationship between cause and effect or the relationship between price and demand.
The quality of a relationship can vary greatly. It can be strong and supportive, marked by trust and understanding. Or it can be strained, distant, or even harmful. Healthy relationships usually require communication, empathy, and effort from the people involved. Sometimes a relationship changes over time: people grow apart, circumstances shift, and the connection evolves.
Think of a tapestry: each thread stands for a person, group, or idea, and the pattern formed between the threads is the relationship among them. It can be simple or complex, warm or distant, steady or changing. So whether the word is used for love, friendship, work, or abstract ideas, it always points to some kind of connection between two or more things.
Examples
- 1
Family
She has a very close relationship with her sister.
- 2
Workplace
I have a good working relationship with my manager.
- 3
Education
A good teacher builds strong relationships with students.
- 4
Family conflict
The film looks at the relationship between parents and teenagers.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Dating
He's in a relationship with someone he met at university.
- Phrasein a relationship
dating someone seriously
- 6
Research
Scientists are studying the relationship between sleep and memory.
- 7
Food attitudes
Years of dieting changed her relationship with food.
- 8
Abstract connection
The two events may seem similar, but they have no direct relationship to each other.
- Patternrelationship to + thing
connection to it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- close relationship
- working relationship
- relationship between
- build a relationship
Word family
Explore
- interdependence
- social network
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- relationshipnoun
Forms
- relationshipspluralnoun