Word
correlate
Meanings
to have a relationship or connection with something, especially where changes in one are linked with changes in the other
to compare information from different sources and match it up to find patterns or agreements
Definition
To correlate means to show or establish a connection between two things, especially how they vary together.
To correlate is to relate two or more things so that a connection between them becomes clear. In research and everyday analysis, it often means that when one factor changes, another tends to change in a predictable way. A correlation can be strong or weak, positive or negative, and it does not automatically prove cause and effect.
Examples
- In our dataset, higher engagement rates correlate with shorter response times.
- You can’t assume two trends correlate just because they move in the same direction.
- She tested whether sleep quality would correlate with performance under pressure.
- The team found that customer complaints correlate strongly with delivery delays in winter.
Common mistake
Learners often say "correlate to" when the more natural preposition for relationships is usually "correlate with."
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.