corelate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal / Academic / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “corelate” mean?
To have a mutual connection or relationship where one thing changes in parallel with another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To have a mutual connection or relationship where one thing changes in parallel with another; to establish a statistical or logical link between variables.
To show a correspondence or relationship between two or more facts, figures, or variables, often implying mutual influence or shared trends without necessarily proving causation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major spelling or usage differences. Both varieties treat the word identically in formal contexts.
Connotations
Neutral to technical in both. May sound academic in everyday conversation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic and technical registers in both varieties. Rare in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “corelate” in a Sentence
correlate with [noun phrase]correlate [noun phrase] with [noun phrase][noun phrase] correlates to [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corelate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Researchers tried to correlate the data sets.
- Happiness does not always correlate with wealth.
American English
- The analyst will correlate the findings with market trends.
- Higher temperatures often correlate with increased energy use.
adjective
British English
- The two phenomena are correlate variables in the model.
- They examined correlate factors.
American English
- We identified several correlate behaviours.
- The study listed correlate symptoms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market analysis: 'Sales figures correlate with advertising spend.'
Academic
Key in research papers: 'The study aimed to correlate dietary habits with health outcomes.'
Everyday
Rare; if used: 'I've noticed my mood seems to correlate with the weather.'
Technical
Essential in statistics, data science, psychology: 'The variables were correlated using Pearson's r.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corelate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corelate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corelate”
- Using 'correlate to' when 'correlate with' is standard (though 'to' is sometimes used).
- Confusing 'correlate' (verb) with 'correlation' (noun) in sentence structure.
- Assuming correlation implies causation in writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Correlation describes a relationship where two things change together. Causation means one thing directly makes the other happen. Correlation does not prove causation.
Yes, though less common. As a noun, it means 'either of two related things, especially when one implies the other' (e.g., 'Smoking is a known correlate of lung disease'). The noun form is more technical.
'Correlate with' is the standard and most widely accepted preposition. 'Correlate to' is sometimes used, particularly in American English, but 'with' is preferred for clarity and consistency.
No, the correct spelling is 'correlate' with a double 'r'. 'Corelate' is a common misspelling.
To have a mutual connection or relationship where one thing changes in parallel with another.
Corelate is usually formal / academic / scientific in register.
Corelate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒr.ə.leɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːr.ə.leɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CO-RELATE: two things are RELATED to each other, they CO-RELATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THREADS CONNECTING TWO POINTS; PARALLEL LINES MOVING TOGETHER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate implication of saying 'A correlates with B'?