Definition

1. Verb:

   • To have a mutual relationship or connection where changes in one thing are associated with changes in another. It implies a statistical or logical connection, not necessarily causation.
   • To establish or demonstrate such a relationship between two or more things.

2. Noun:

   • Either one of two or more related or complementary variables, facts, or items. One of the things that has a correlation with another.

3. Adjective:

   • Mutually related; having a mutual or reciprocal connection.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (intransitive):
  • Researchers found that exercise levels and heart health strongly correlate.
  • These two sets of data do not correlate, suggesting an error in measurement.
• Verb (transitive):
  • The study aims to correlate economic growth with educational attainment.
  • It is difficult to correlate the ancient text with known historical events.
• Noun:
  • Smoking is a known correlate of lung disease.
  • In this equation, 'X' and 'Y' are correlates.
• Adjective:
  • The scientist studied the correlate phenomena of temperature and pressure. (This adjectival use is less common and often found in formal or technical writing.)

Advanced Usage

• Statistical Correlation: In statistics, to 'correlate' specifically means to measure the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables (e.g., correlate income and happiness).
  • The analyst will correlate the sales figures with advertising spending.
• Correlate with: This is the standard prepositional phrase used with the verb.
  • High stress levels often correlate with poor sleep quality.

Variants and Related Words

• Correlation (n): The process or result of correlating; a mutual relationship or connection.
  • There is a strong positive correlation between study time and exam scores.
• Correlative (adj/n): Having a mutual relationship; a word or concept that has a mutual relationship with another (e.g., 'either' and 'or' are correlative conjunctions).
• Correlated (adj): Describing things that have been linked or shown to have a mutual relationship.
  • The correlated variables were plotted on a graph.

Synonyms

• Associate (v): To connect in thought.
• Correspond (v): To have a close similarity, match, or agreement.
• Relate (v): To show or establish a connection between.
• Interrelate (v): To relate or connect to one another.
• Factor (n): (as a synonym for the noun 'correlate') An element contributing to a particular result.

Antonyms

• Contradict (v): To be in conflict with.
• Dissociate (v): To disconnect or separate.
• Unrelated (adj): Having no connection.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Correlate directly/inversely: Phrases specifying the nature of the relationship. A direct correlation means both variables increase or decrease together. An inverse (or negative) correlation means one increases as the other decreases.
  • Fuel efficiency correlates inversely with vehicle weight.

Adjective

1. mutually related

Noun

1. either of two or more related or complementary variables

Verb

1. bring into a mutual, complementary, or reciprocal relation
   • I cannot correlate these two pieces of information
2. to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
   • Do these facts correlate?