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relationship

B1
Very common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rɪlˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/

US

  • /riˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/

Meanings

Noun

  1. an ongoing romantic partnership

  2. the way two or more people are connected or deal with each other

  3. 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.

Examples

  1. 1

    Family

    She has a very close relationship with her sister.

  2. 2

    Workplace

    I have a good working relationship with my manager.

  3. 3

    Education

    A good teacher builds strong relationships with students.

  4. 4

    Family conflict

    The film looks at the relationship between parents and teenagers.

More examples
  1. 5

    Dating

    He's in a relationship with someone he met at university.

    • Phrasein a relationship

      dating someone seriously

  2. 6

    Research

    Scientists are studying the relationship between sleep and memory.

  3. 7

    Food attitudes

    Years of dieting changed her relationship with food.

  4. 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

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Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • relationshipnoun

Forms

  • relationshipspluralnoun