The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - associate v.

1) associate (with) . a ally with, link, join or unite (with) , combine or confederate (with) , connect (with) , conjoin (with) : In the 1930s Abe was associated with Dutch and Louis in Murder, Incorporated. I always associate him with fast cars and hard drinking. b see, be seen with, socialize or fraternize (with) , mix or mingle (with) , go (out) with, consort with, have to do with, Colloq hang out with, Brit pal with or about, pal up (with) , US pal around (with) : Mother told me not to associate with boys who use that kind of language. --n. 2) colleague, partner; fellow, fellow-worker: I'd like you to meet my associate, Ian Lindsay. 3) confederate, ally, collaborator; accomplice, accessory: He and his associates have been sent to prison for conspiracy. 4) comrade, companion, friend, mate, buddy; confidant(e) : We have been close associates for many years. --adj. 5) subsidiary, secondary: She is an associate professor at an American university. 6) allied, affiliate, affiliated, associated; accessory: Publication is under the direction of an associate company.