associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv 

-sē-,

-shə-tiv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

2

: dependent on or acquired by association or learning

3

: of, having, or being the property of combining to the same mathematical result regardless of the grouping of an expression's elements given that the order of those elements is preserved

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈti-və-tē 

-sē-

-shə-ˈti-

noun

Examples of associative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound passer impressed his new team every step of the way from his command of a room, to his memory and associative skills. —Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2024

Berg and Verhoeven were associative producers on the doc, which was produced by MRC Non-Fiction. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2023

Adapting an iconic property is always a challenge given the sheer weight of fond, associative memories that the audience has. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023

Memory is private and allows for associative leaps and psychological annotations. —Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing associative

• associative learning
• associative neuron

Kids Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt-iv  -sē- 

-shət-iv

1

: of or relating to association

2

: of, having, or being the property of producing the same mathematical value no matter how an expression's elements are grouped so long as the order of those elements is the same

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

-ˌsō-sē-

-ˌsō-shə-ˈtiv-

noun

Medical Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt-iv  -shət-iv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

an associative symbol

2

a

: dependent on or characterized by association

an associative reaction

b

: acquired by a process of learning

an associative reflex