What does interrelate mean?
Interrelate is a formal verb meaning to have a reciprocal, corresponding, or interconnected relationship. It is especially common in academic, scientific, and analytical writing, where it describes relationships among systems, concepts, disciplines, processes, or variables. For example, climate, agriculture, and water supply interrelate, meaning that each influences or corresponds to the others. The word is often followed by “with,” as in “interrelate with,” although it can also be used transitively to describe the connection of two things. Its connotations are generally intellectual and systematic: interrelating suggests a relationship involving mutual influence, dependency, or correspondence rather than mere adjacency. Although less ordinary in everyday conversation than “connect” or “relate,” it is valuable in precise writing because it foregrounds the reciprocal character of a relationship. The related noun “interrelation” and adjective “interrelated” are also common in formal prose.
verbTo have a reciprocal relationship with another person, thing, process, or system. It may also mean to connect two or more things so that they affect or correspond to one another.
- To have a mutual, reciprocal, or corresponding relationship with something else.
"The two disciplines interrelate closely, drawing methods and evidence from one another."
"Climate, agriculture, and water supply interrelate in ways that are difficult to separate."
"The scholars argue that sound and meaning interrelate differently across languages."
Interrelate turns a relationship into an action: things do not merely relate; they stand in a reciprocal relationship.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of interrelate
Interrelate was formed in the 19th century from the prefix inter-, meaning “between” or “among,” and the verb relate, meaning to connect or refer. The prefix comes from Latin inter, while relate ultimately derives from the Latin stem relat-, associated with referre, “to carry back” or “to refer.” The same Latin foundation produced words such as relation, relative, and correlate, while the inter- element distinguishes a mutual relationship from a more general connection.
Related word forms
How interrelate is actually used
A formal or scholarly word, used chiefly in academic, scientific, and analytical contexts. It is commonly intransitive, especially with “with,” and can imply relationships that are more complex or interconnected than a simple connection.
Easily confused with interrelate
Interrelate means to have a mutual or corresponding relationship, whereas interpolate means to insert something at an intermediate point or among existing material.