relationship

[ri-ley-shuhn-ship]

noun

1. a connection, association, or involvement.

   Synonyms: kinship, alliance, dependence

2. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

   Synonyms: consanguinity, affinity

3. an emotional or other connection between people.

   the relationship between teachers and students.

4. a sexual involvement; affair.

relationship

/ rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of being connected or related

2. association by blood or marriage; kinship

3. the mutual dealings, connections, or feelings that exist between two parties, countries, people, etc

   a business relationship

4. an emotional or sexual affair or liaison

5. logic maths another name for relation

Other Word Forms

• prerelationship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relationship¹

First recorded in 1735–45; relation + -ship

Synonym Study

Relationship, kinship refer to connection with others by blood or by marriage. Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage: relationship to a ruling family. Kinship generally denotes common descent and implies a more intimate connection than relationship: the ties and obligations of kinship.

Example Sentences

It is kind of the healing factor for young men right now: male relationships that you can be really vulnerable in.

From Los Angeles Times

It could also put stress on the country's relationship with a key ally.

From BBC

Australians have a complicated relationship with the sun: they love it, but they also fear it.

From BBC

Remember, this movie came out in the mid-1980s when interracial relationships between Black men and white women weren’t usually foregrounded in action blockbusters.

From Salon

The prime minister’s standing among Democrats in D.C. is not helped by his tumultuous relationship with former President Barack Obama.

From Salon

Related Words

• accord 
• affair 
• communication 
• contact 
• exchange 
• liaison 
• link 
• marriage 
• rapport 
• relation 
• tie