plural noun
Connections between people, such as family members, friends, or coworkers.
Good relationships require trust and communication.
Family relationships can be complicated at times.
American English
How to pronounce relationships
nounB1Very common word
rihLAYshnshihps
/ɹɪˈleɪ.ʃn̩ˌʃɪps/
4 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of relationship
Connections between people, such as family members, friends, or coworkers.
What to listen for
“Relationships” is commonly pronounced /ɹɪˈleɪ.ʃn̩ˌʃɪps/. You may also hear /ɹiˈleɪ.ʃn̩ˌʃɪps/ with a longer “ee” sound at the beginning.
Common pronunciation/ɹɪˈleɪ.ʃn̩ˌʃɪps/
Also heard/ɹiˈleɪ.ʃn̩ˌʃɪps/
Meanings & examples
plural noun
Romantic connections between people.
Healthy relationships need trust and honesty.
Their relationships ended after years of conflict.
plural noun
Connections between two or more things, especially the ways they are linked or the ways one affects another.
Scientists studied the relationships between sleep and health.
Business relationships are built on mutual benefit.
Useful expressions
to be romantically involved with someone
Is Maya in a relationship?
to get along well with someone
I have a good relationship with my manager.
information about whether someone is single, married, or dating
He changed his relationship status online.