Word: relatable (adjective)

Associations

The word "relatable" describes something that people can connect with or understand easily. It often refers to feelings, experiences, or stories that resonate with others.

• Example 1: "The movie was so relatable; I felt like the characters were living my life." This shows how the characters' experiences matched the viewer's own.
• Example 2: "Her speech was relatable because she shared personal stories." Here, the speaker's personal stories helped the audience connect with her message.
• Example 3: "I love reading relatable comics that reflect everyday life." This indicates that the comics depict situations that many people experience.

A well-known synonym for relatable is "identifiable." However, "identifiable" often refers more to recognizing something, while "relatable" focuses on emotional connection and understanding.

Substitution

You can use words like "accessible," "understandable," or "familiar" in place of relatable, but each has a slightly different meaning:

• "Accessible" suggests something is easy to reach or obtain, not necessarily emotionally connected.
• "Understandable" means something is easy to comprehend, but it doesn't imply a personal connection.
• "Familiar" indicates something you know well, but it might not evoke the same emotional response as relatable.

Deconstruction

The word "relatable" comes from the root "relate," which means to make a connection or to tell. The suffix "-able" suggests that something can be done. So, "relatable" means it can be related to or connected with, especially in an emotional or experiential way.

Historically, "relate" comes from the Latin word "relatus," meaning to bring back or refer to. This connection to sharing experiences helps explain why we use "relatable" to describe things that evoke understanding and empathy.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you found something relatable in a book or a movie? What made it relatable to you?
• How do you think relatable content affects people's feelings or opinions?
• Are there situations in your life that you think others might find relatable? What are they?