connectedness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, academic
Quick answer
What does “connectedness” mean?
The state of being joined or linked together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being joined or linked together; the quality of having a relationship or connection.
A sense of belonging, fellowship, or emotional attachment to other people, a place, or an idea; the interdependence of elements within a system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Both varieties use the word with the same core meaning.
Connotations
In both, it often carries positive connotations of community, integration, and belonging. In academic/technical contexts, it's neutral.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its common use in psychology, sociology, and self-help literature.
Grammar
How to Use “connectedness” in a Sentence
connectedness to + [noun phrase]connectedness between + [noun phrase]connectedness with + [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “connectedness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new railway line will connect several isolated towns.
- I can't connect to the Wi-Fi in this café.
American English
- The bridge connects the two states.
- We need to connect the printer to the network.
adverb
British English
- The chapters are loosely connected, forming a fragmented narrative.
- The devices work connectedly as part of a single system.
American English
- The concepts are intrinsically connected, making them hard to separate.
- They spoke connectedly for over an hour.
adjective
British English
- She felt deeply connected to the local community.
- The two issues are closely connected.
American English
- He's a well-connected businessman in D.C.
- Are you connected to the internet?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to network integration, supply chain links, or team cohesion. e.g., 'The connectedness of our global offices improves efficiency.'
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, network theory, and philosophy to describe social bonds, systemic links, or metaphysical unity.
Everyday
Describes feelings of belonging with family, friends, or community. e.g., 'Moving to a new city, I miss the connectedness of my old neighbourhood.'
Technical
In mathematics/computer science, denotes the property of a graph or network where a path exists between all nodes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “connectedness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “connectedness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “connectedness”
- Misspelling as 'conectedness' (single 'n').
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a connectedness'). It's generally uncountable.
- Confusing with 'connectivity', which focuses more on the ability to connect rather than the state of being connected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'connection' is a specific link or relationship. 'Connectedness' is the abstract quality or state of having such links, often implying a broader, systemic, or emotional sense of being joined.
Yes, particularly in fields like mathematics (graph theory), computer science (networks), and sociology. In these contexts, it is a precise term for the state of interconnection within a system.
It is generally considered formal or academic. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler terms like 'connection', 'closeness', or 'sense of belonging'.
Common opposites include 'disconnectedness', 'isolation', 'separation', and 'alienation'.
The state of being joined or linked together.
Connectedness: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈnɛktɪdnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈnɛktədnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly used in idioms; it is the concept behind idioms like 'in the same boat' or 'all in this together']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NET. All the strings are CONNECTED to form one whole thing. CONNECTED-NESS is the state of that net.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE PHYSICAL LINKS / A COMMUNITY IS A WEB / BELONGING IS BEING ATTACHED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'connectedness' LEAST likely to be used?