🇬🇧 Association meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card

An association is a thought or feeling that shows up in your mind because something reminds you of it. For example, when you smell cookies and immediately think of your grandma, that thought of your grandma is an association. The two things—cookies and your grandma—are connected in your mind, even if they are not actually stuck together in real life. Our brains make lots of these invisible connections, so one sound, smell, person, place, or object can bring up another memory or idea.

My strongest association with the word “exercise” is watching other people do it on TV while I eat chips.

I have a powerful association between my alarm clock and the feeling of wanting to move to another planet immediately.

My association with thunderstorms is hiding under blankets and apologizing to the sky for no reason.

I formed a strong association between my baby cousin and drool after he hugged my face with his mouth.

My association with the school bus is sticky seats, loud singing, and at least one flying backpack.

At the market, a woman touches a blue ribbon. An association of waves, sand and her father's laugh rises. Another association brings a small boat. A third association shows a sunhat and a cold drink. One more association is a warm kitchen. Each association pulls her toward the sea in memory; she smiles and breathes out.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

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