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relationship

relationship

1.8
A close emotional or romantic connection between two people
  • noun
  • /rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/
translation icon : relación sentimental
  • Communication is key to building a strong relationship with your partner.
  • an intimate relationship
  • a romantic relationship
  • a sexual relationship

And if I could describe our relationship, it's fiery.

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Examples

  • Since coming to this university, I have developed close personal relationships with other students.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Miss Campbell, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

  • Why do I keep this relationship going when they hurt me?

  • How will this decision impact the relationship and my partner?

  • It's about the relationship with yourself, right?

  • How many serious relationships have you been in?

  • Her story told of a young man looking back on his complicated relationship with a difficult mother.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Be sure to cherish these relationships, okay?

  • And despite the ups and downs in other relationships, you stayed loyal.

  • You know, I want to have a relationship that's deep and sincere and challenging and scary.

Synonyms

connection
vsrelationship
1.9

A relationship between people, things, ideas, or events

is specifically about emotional or romantic connections rather than general links
friendship
vsrelationship
751 1.0

A close relationship between people who like and support each other

can be romantic but here the emphasis is specifically on emotional or romantic links
relation
vsrelationship
745 2.8

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

restricts that broad interaction to emotional or romantic human connections
romance
vsrelationship
395 2.3

A close relationship between two people who love each other

is broader, covering emotional connections that may or may not be passionate
association
vsrelationship
131 3.0

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

is about emotional or romantic connections rather than organizational joining
sexual relationship
vsrelationship
  • NSFW
94 3.2

A relationship between two people who have sex with each other

focuses on emotional or romantic connection rather than solely sexual activity
personal relationship
vsrelationship
51 2.8

A close connection between two people with feelings and trust

focuses more on emotional or romantic connection rather than general ties
love affair
vsrelationship
  • NSFW
46 3.6

A secret romantic or sexual relationship between two people

is a general emotional or romantic link, not necessarily secret or illicit
closeness
vsrelationship
26 2.8

A warm emotional relationship between people who trust each other

is similar but stresses a defined emotional or romantic connection
togetherness
vsrelationship
22 3.4

A feeling of closeness and support between people

focuses more on a distinct emotional or romantic tie between individuals
strong relationship
vsrelationship
12 2.8

A close connection between people with trust and care

emphasizes emotional or romantic linking rather than only strength or importance
human relationship
vsrelationship
9 2.7

The way two or more people connect and treat each other

spotlights emotional or romantic connections specifically rather than broad human ties
connectedness
vsrelationship
8 4.8

How people and things are joined and relate to each other

narrows that idea to emotional or romantic kinds of joining
strong bond
vsrelationship
7 3.4

A deep, lasting connection between people or animals

may be romantic but primarily highlights lasting depth rather than general connection
interconnectedness
vsrelationship
6 6.8

The way things are linked and affect each other

is narrower, targeting emotional or romantic links between individuals
friendly relationship
vsrelationship
3 1.4

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

centres on emotional or romantic bonds rather than friendly nonromantic ties
acquaintanceship
vsrelationship
2 7.6

A not very close relationship with someone you know but are not friends with

is more emotionally or romantically involved than this casual link
interrelationship
vsrelationship
2 5.9

A connection where two or more things affect each other

focuses on emotional or romantic connection rather than mutual systemic links
social relation
vsrelationship
2 3.9

A connection between people or animals that shows how they interact

is more about private emotional or romantic ties than public social roles
personal relation
vsrelationship
1 4.0

A connection between people that involves feelings or friendship

is more about emotional or romantic bonds rather than any personal link
marital relationship
vsrelationship
1 3.5

A connection between two people who are married

is broader, covering emotional or romantic ties beyond marriage
familial bond
vsrelationship
1 3.5

A close feeling between people who are related

is focused on emotional or romantic linking rather than family-based ties
spousal relationship
vsrelationship
  • Formal
3.5

A legal relationship between two people who are married

includes such legal bonds but mainly highlights emotional or romantic connection
relations
vsrelationship
2.7

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

is focused on personal emotional or romantic linking, not broad behavioral ties

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 Serious

marriage
1.0
engagement
186 2.8
relationship
1.8
fling
  • NSFW
57 4.6
pickup
  • NSFW
19 8.2

Surface Forms

relationship singular
relationships plural

Morphology

relationship = relation (transparent) = relation + ship

The emotional/romantic sense is a common instantiation of 'relation' + '-ship' (state/quality of being related or connected), so the derivation is clear.

Etymology

Relationship comes from relation ('a connection') and -ship ('state' or 'quality'), the same -ship in friendship, so a romantic or emotional relationship is the state of being closely connected to someone.