correlate

1 of 2

noun

cor·​re·​late ˈkȯr-ə-lət 

ˈkär-,

-ˌlāt

1

: either of two things so related that one directly implies or is complementary to the other (such as husband and wife)

brain size as a correlate of intelligence

2

: a phenomenon that accompanies another phenomenon, is usually parallel to it, and is related in some way to it

… precise electrical correlates of conscious thinking in the human brain …

—Bayard Webster

correlate adjective

correlate

2 of 2

verb

cor·​re·​late ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlāt 

ˈkär-

correlated; correlating

intransitive verb

: to bear reciprocal or mutual relations : correspond

If two things correlate, a change in one thing results in a similar or opposite change in the other thing.

transitive verb

1

a

: to establish a mutual or reciprocal relation between

correlate activities in the lab and the field

b

: to show correlation or a causal relationship between

There is no evidence correlating the cracking of one's knuckles and development of osteoarthritis.

2

: to present or set forth so as to show relationship

He correlates the findings of the scientists, the psychologists, and the mystics.

—Eugene Exman

correlatable

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlā-tə-bəl 

ˈkär-

adjective

correlator

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlā-tər 

ˈkär-

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• complement
• supplement

Verb

• associate
• connect
• identify
• link
• relate

Examples of correlate in a Sentence

Noun

brain size as a correlate of intelligence

the often uneasy relationship between the employer and his correlate, the employee

Verb

There is no evidence correlating height and intelligence.

a demanding father who always correlated success with hard work

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the political scientist Jonathan Rodden has shown, the single biggest correlate of pro- and anti-Trump sentiment is population density. —Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Jan. 2021

This pull-back correlates with the growing insistence from investors for profitability, shifting streamers’ business tactics. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024

Verb

Assuming that homeownership correlates with wealth more generally, the length of displacement varies between renters and homeowners. —Christian Weller, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

The pregnant individual isn’t the only person who’s impacted, though: Doctors have long known that a mother’s well-being is strongly correlated to her baby’s. —Daliah Singer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

back-formation from correlation

First Known Use

Noun

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1742, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

correlate

verb

cor·​re·​late

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlāt,

ˈkär-

correlated; correlating

: to connect or relate in a systematic way

correlate history and literature lessons