associate:

(plural: ‘associates‘)

associates of a business

a person who has dealings or connection with another person, especially in work or business having equal or nearly equal rights or a say in the day-to-day running of the business, not necessarily a partner, colleague or friend;

a person who works independently (self-employed) but has some business dealings with another person or company and works together with the other;

one of the members of an association, law firm, company, etc. who joins others in their business activities, but not necessarily a partner, employee or friend,

a law firm associates, CJTA, USA

e.g.

Sorry, I can’t make the final decision on my own; I have to consult my associate.

Salim usually goes out to dinners with some of his associates from the law firm.

Miss Baker has worked as associate director on a couple of low-budget films.

Note: ‘Associate’ is also used less commonly to refer to a partner, a colleague, a companion or a comrade in informal conversations; and even in ‘associate law firms’, though an attorney/lawyer working for a particular law firm gets some percentage of firm’s income as a partner does, he/she is not considered a full partner; and ‘associate’ is used more often as a verb to mean ‘to have some connection with another one of the same kind, and to be with someone or something to spend some time or to do something’.

Return to “colleague“.

About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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