Relatable
/rɪˈleɪtəbl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Relatable means that a person, story, idea, or situation feels close to your own life or feelings. When something is relatable, you can understand it well because it reminds you of your own experiences or emotions. It helps people feel connected or less alone.
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See It in Action
Easy to connect with because it feels familiar or similar
- •Her story about moving to a new city was very relatable to many people.
- •The movie's characters are relatable because they have real problems.
- •I find his jokes relatable because they remind me of my own life.
Able to be understood emotionally or personally
- •The poem is relatable to anyone who has felt lonely.
- •That song is relatable when you are feeling sad.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'relatable' like 'understandable' but more personal—it's not just clear, it feels like it belongs to your life
- ✓Picture a friend telling a story that makes you say, 'That happened to me too!' — that feeling is relatable
- ✓It's the warm feeling when you see a movie character who acts like you in some way
- ✓Sounds like 're-LAY-tuh-bull' → imagine laying (placing) your feelings on someone else's story because you see yourself there
- ✓Think of social media posts that many people like because they show everyday problems everyone has—those posts are relatable
- ✓NOT like 'strange' or 'weird'—relatable is familiar and easy to connect with
- ✓NOT like 'confusing'—relatable means clear because it matches your experience
- ✓NOT like 'funny' only—something can be relatable even if it is serious or sad
Try Other Words
- •Familiar: known or easy to recognize (Use when something feels common or well-known)
- •Identifiable: able to be recognized or seen as similar (Use when you can see yourself or your feelings in something)
- •Approachable: easy to talk to or understand (Use when describing people who are friendly and easy to connect with)
- •Recognizable: easy to notice or know because you have seen or felt it before (Use when something reminds you of past experience)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: re- (again) + late (from relate) + -able (able to be)
- •Etymology: Comes from the verb 'relate,' meaning to tell or connect, plus the suffix '-able,' meaning able to be done or experienced
- •Historical development: 'Relatable' started being used in the late 20th century to describe things people can connect with emotionally or personally
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in everyday speech, social media, and writing to describe stories, feelings, or people that feel close to others’ experiences
Reflect & Connect
•When do you feel something is most relatable in your life? Can you think of a time when a story or idea helped you feel less alone?
•How can making your writing or speaking more relatable help you connect better with others?
Fill in the blanks
1.The movie was relatable ___ many people because it showed everyday problems like work and family.
2.When a character is relatable, the audience can ___ with their feelings and actions.
3.Unlike strange or confusing stories, relatable ones feel ___ and easy to understand.
4.Social media posts that are relatable often get many likes because people ___ their own experiences in them.
5.To make a story relatable, writers often include details that ___ to common feelings or situations.
6.When someone shares a relatable experience, it helps others feel they are ___, not alone.
7.Relatable content usually makes people say, "I know exactly what you ___."