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relationship

relationship

1.7
A connection between people, groups, or countries that shows how they interact
  • noun
  • /rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/
translation icon : relación
  • The relationship between the two countries has improved significantly over the last year.
  • build relationships
  • establish relationships
  • develop relationships

All right, So what is your relationship with fear today?

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Examples

  • And it's this good relationships keep you happier and healthier.

  • You know, I think it's time we re-evaluated this relationship.

  • All right, So what is your relationship with fear today?

  • I want to give you the best relationship advice ever.

  • And yet I know there is some relationship between stuff, right?

  • This was the first time in which that relationship was observed.

  • Time goes by and things change with relationships.

  • It begins with you and your relationship with yourself.

  • Results provided empirical evidence that such a relationship existed among this group of minority children.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Several studies support the link between caring relationships in school and decreased substance use.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

connection
vsrelationship
1.9

A relationship between people, things, ideas, or events

is about social or political interaction rather than any general link
relation
vsrelationship
745 2.8

How people, groups, or countries are connected and act toward each other

is the same idea but used in the more usual general form
tie
vsrelationship
325 2.4

A connection that people have with family or friends

is broader and neutral, not limited to emotional or business bonds
association
vsrelationship
131 3.0

A connection between people, groups, or things, often from working together

is the social or political connection rather than the act of joining
interrelationship
vsrelationship
2 5.9

A connection where two or more things affect each other

is more general about links and interaction without stressing reciprocity
relations
vsrelationship
2.7

A way that people, groups, or countries behave and deal with each other

is broader, focusing on connection and interaction rather than behavior and dealings

Compounds

94 3.2

A relationship between two people who have sex with each other

A close connection between two people with feelings and trust

A formal agreement between two people or companies to work together

A close connection between people with trust and care

The way two or more people connect and treat each other

A connection between people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption

A kind, helpful connection between people or groups who support each other

A relationship that has frequent problems and disagreements

A connection between two people who are married

A romantic relationship someone starts soon after a breakup to cope with hurt

Two people who have strong feelings, frequent fights, and sudden changes

A relationship with little warmth or friendliness

9.9

A romantic relationship with three people who are all partners with each other

A legal relationship between two people who are married

How Close

intimacy
122 4.2
partnership
214 2.7
relationship
1.7
connection
1.9
acquaintance
114 3.5

Surface Forms

relationship singular
relationships plural

Morphology

relationship = relation (transparent) = relate + ion + ship

The suffix '-ship' is a common noun-forming suffix indicating a state or condition, making the meaning clear from 'relation'.

Etymology

Relationship comes from relation ('a connection') plus -ship ('state' or 'quality'), the same parts you see in partnership; so it basically means the 'state of being connected', which is why we use it for how people, groups, or countries interact with each other.