Communicate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt/ com·mu·ni·cate

Meaning & Definition of Communicate

Communicate (verb)

  1. to convey knowledge of or information about, make known
  2. to reveal by clear signs
  3. to cause to pass from one to another

Communicate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause (something) to pass from one to another

    "the infected cook unknowingly communicated the disease to hundreds of people"

    similar: conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit
    related: deliver, hand over, surrender, turn over, broadcast, diffuse, disseminate, propagate, hand down, hand on, contaminate, infect, poison
    near: catch, come down (with), contract

  2. to engage in an exchange of information or ideas

    "for decades the two medical centers have been communicating about cancer research"

    similar: brainstorm, intercommunicate
    related: correspond, converse, talk, message, bond, commune, relate, accost, approach, board, contact

  3. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "his voice communicated a certain distrust and wariness"

    similar: bespeak, betray, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show
    related: bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project
    near: belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

Related Entry: Communicate (with) (verb)

Communicate (with) is a different word from Communicate. The synonyms below are for communicate (with), not for communicate.

  1. to transmit information or requests to

    "communicating with other ham radio enthusiasts"

    similar: address, contact, get, reach, get hold of, get in touch with, touch base (with)
    related: get through (to), acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, clue, enlighten, familiarize, fill in, inform, instruct, notify, tell, wise (up), buzz, call, phone, ring (up) (chiefly British), telephone, keep up (with)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Communicate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Communicate:

conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit, brainstorm, intercommunicate, bespeak, betray, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show

Related Words for Communicate

deliver, hand over, surrender, turn over, broadcast, diffuse, disseminate, propagate, hand down, hand on, contaminate, infect, poison, correspond, converse, talk, message, bond, commune, relate, accost, approach, board, contact, bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise

Near Antonyms of Communicate

catch, come down (with), contract, belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

Word Forms of Communicate

Inflections: communicated, communicating

Derived words: communicatee (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Communicate

Latin communicatus, past participle of communicare to impart, participate, from communis common mean

First known use: 1529t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Communicate

Frequently Asked Questions about Communicate

What does "Communicate" mean?

"Communicate" means to convey knowledge of or information about, make known. As a verb, it is defined as: to convey knowledge of or information about, make known. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Communicate"?

Other words for "Communicate" include conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse and transmit. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Communicate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Communicate"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Communicate". Common alternatives include conduct, convey, give, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit, brainstorm and intercommunicate.

How do you use "Communicate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Communicate" in a sentence: "the infected cook unknowingly communicated the disease to hundreds of people"; "for decades the two medical centers have been communicating about cancer research"; "his voice communicated a certain distrust and wariness".

Is "Communicate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Communicate" is a verb.

Is "Communicate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Communicate" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Communicate"?

"Communicate" is pronounced /kə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt/ and divided into syllables as com·mu·ni·cate.

What is the origin of the word "Communicate"?

"Communicate" comes from Latin communicatus, past participle of communicare to impart, participate, from communis common mean. First known use: 1529t.