Connection vs. Relationship: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Connection refers to a link or bond between things or people, often temporary or specific in context, whereas relationship denotes a more significant, often ongoing, association or interaction."
Key Differences
Connection implies a link or bond, which can be physical, emotional, or digital. In contrast, a relationship is a deeper, often more enduring association between individuals, groups, or entities.
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Connections can be fleeting or situational, like a business connection or a connection in a network. Relationships, however, typically indicate a more sustained interaction, such as a family relationship or a romantic partnership.
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A connection can exist without a deep emotional foundation, as seen in brief social interactions or technical linkages. Relationships generally involve emotional investment and a sense of mutual understanding or agreement.
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Connections are often the starting point or a component of relationships. However, not all connections evolve into relationships, which require more time, interaction, and emotional or personal involvement.
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In technology, connection often refers to a link between systems or devices, while in social contexts, a relationship refers to the way people or groups interact and relate to each other over time.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Can be temporary, specific, or situational.
Typically more significant, ongoing, and deeper.
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Emotional Depth
May or may not involve emotional aspects.
Generally involves emotional investment.
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Context
Broad, ranging from social to technological.
Primarily social, personal, or professional.
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Duration and Evolution
Can be fleeting or short-term.
Often long-term, developing over time.
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Examples in Technology
Links between systems, networks, or devices.
Often not applicable in a technological context.
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Connection and Relationship Definitions
Connection
A link or bond between people, things, or ideas.
She felt an immediate connection with the new colleague.
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Relationship
A state of being connected by blood or marriage.
They discovered they were in a relationship as distant cousins.
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Connection
A transfer point or means of transit in travel.
He had a connection at Chicago before flying to New York.
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Relationship
A romantic or sexual partnership.
They celebrated their fifth anniversary of being in a relationship.
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Connection
A relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else.
The detective discovered a connection between the two cases.
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Relationship
The mutual dealings or connections between persons or groups.
The teacher-student relationship is fundamental to learning.
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Connection
In technology, a link between devices or systems.
The Wi-Fi connection was strong throughout the office.
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Relationship
A professional interaction between individuals or groups.
The company maintains a good relationship with its clients.
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Relationship
The condition or fact of being related; connection or association.
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Connection
One that connects; a link
Made a connection between the two pipes.
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Relationship
A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other
Has a close relationship with his siblings.
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Connection
An association or relationship
An obvious connection between the two crimes.
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Connection
The logical or intelligible ordering of words or ideas; coherence.
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Connection
Reference or relation to something else; context
In this connection, the agreement can be seen as a step toward peace.
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Relationship
(mathematics) The links between the x-values and y-values of ordered pairs of numbers especially coordinates.
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Connection
A person, especially one of influence or importance, with whom one is associated, as by kinship or common interests
Used her connections to land a job.
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Connection
A conveyance or scheduled run providing continuing service between means of transportation
Missed my connection in Miami.
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Relationship
A romantic or sexual involvement.
They have been in a relationship for ten years, but have never married.
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Connection
A physical link, such as by wire or fiber-optic cable, between two or more points in a telecommunications system
Established a connection to the internet.
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Relationship
A way in which two or more people behave and are involved with each other
I have a good working relationship with my boss.
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Connection
A means or channel of communication
Couldn't hear due to the bad phone connection.
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Relationship
(music) The level or degree of affinity between keys, chords and tones.
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Relationship
The state of being related by kindred, affinity, or other alliance.
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Relationship
A relation between people; (`relationship' is often used where `relation' would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of `relationship' is for human relations or states of relatedness);
The relationship between mothers and their children
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Relationship
A state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection);
He didn't want his wife to know of the relationship
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Connection
The point at which two or more things are connected.
The connection between overeating and obesity
My headache has no connection with me going out last night.
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Relationship
A state involving mutual dealings between people or parties or countries
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Connection
A feeling of understanding and ease of communication between two or more people.
As we were the only people in the room to laugh at the joke, I felt a connection between us.
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Relationship
State of relatedness or connection by blood or marriage or adoption
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Connection
An established communications or transportation link.
Computers linked by a network connection
I was talking to him, but there was lightning and we lost the connection.
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Relationship
The way in which two or more people or things are connected.
Their relationship has grown stronger over the years.
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Connection
(transport) A transfer from one transportation vehicle to another in scheduled transportation service
The bus was late so he missed his connection at Penn Station and had to wait six hours for the next train.
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Connection
An individual who is related to oneself, through either family or business.
I have some connections in Lancashire.
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Connection
(mathematics) A set of sets that contains the empty set, all one-element sets for any element that is included in any of the sets, and the union of any group of sets that are elements where the intersections of those sets is non-empty.
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Connection
The description for a Methodist denomination as a whole, as opposed to its constituent churches, circuits, districts and conferences.
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Connection
The act of connecting, or the state of being connected; the act or process of bringing two things into contact; junction; union; as, the connection between church and state is inescapable; the connection of pipes of different diameters requires an adapter.
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Connection
Any relationship between things or events; association; alliance; as, a causal connection between interest rates and stock prices.
He [Algazel] denied the possibility of a known connection between cause and effect.
The eternal and inseparable connection between virtue and happiness.
Any sort of connection which is perceived or imagined between two or more things.
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Connection
A relation; esp. a person connected with another by marriage rather than by blood; - used in a loose and indefinite, and sometimes a comprehensive, sense.
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Connection
The persons or things that are connected; as, a business connection; the Methodist connection.
Men elevated by powerful connection.
At the head of a strong parliamentary connection.
Whose names, forces, connections, and characters were perfectly known to him.
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Connection
Usually plural) an acquaintance or acquaintances who are influential or in a position of power and to whom you are connected in some way (as by family or friendship); as, he has powerful connections.
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Connection
A communications channel; as, my cell phone had a bad connection.
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Connection
A vehicle in which one may continue a journey after debarking from another vehicle; the departing vehicle of a connection{9}; as, my connection leaves four hours after my arrival; I missed my connection.
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Connection
The scheduled arrival of one vehicle and departure of a second, sufficiently close in time and place to allow the departing vehicle serve as a means of continuing a journey begun or continued in the first vehicle; as, we can get a connection at Newark to continue on to Paris; - most commonly used of airplanes, trains, and buses arriving and departing at the same terminal.
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Connection
The transfer of a passenger from one vehicle to another to continue a journey; as, the connection was made in Copenhagen; - most commonly of scheduled transportation on common carriers.
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Connection
A vendor who can supply desired materials at a favorable price, or under conditions when other sources are unavailable; as, to get a bargain from one's connection in the jewelry trade; to have connections for the purchase of marijuana; - often used in the pl..
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Connection
The process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination.
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Connection
A relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it);
There was a connection between eating that pickle and having that nightmare
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Connection
The state of being connected;
The connection between church and state is inescapable
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Connection
An instrumentality that connects;
He soldered the connection
He didn't have the right connector between the amplifier and the speakers
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Connection
(usually plural) a person who is influential and to whom you are connected in some way (as by family or friendship);
He has powerful connections
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Connection
The process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination;
Conditioning is a form of learning by association
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Connection
Shifting from one form of transportation to another;
The plane was late and he missed his connection in Atlanta
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Connection
The act of bringing two things into contact (especially for communication);
The joining of hands around the table
There was a connection via the internet
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Connection
A person who provides access to social or professional opportunities.
Her connection in the industry helped her land the job.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do connections always lead to relationships?
Not necessarily; some connections remain superficial or temporary.
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Can connections be non-physical?
Yes, connections can be emotional, digital, or conceptual.
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Are relationships always romantic?
No, relationships can be familial, professional, or platonic as well.
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Do relationships require effort to maintain?
Yes, maintaining a relationship typically requires effort and communication.
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Can a relationship exist without a connection?
Typically, a relationship starts with some form of connection.
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Are connections important in networking?
Yes, connections are crucial for professional and social networking.
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What does a relationship refer to?
A relationship refers to a significant association or interaction between people or entities.
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What is a simple definition of a connection?
A connection is a link or bond between people, things, or systems.
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How does a relationship differ in a work environment?
It involves ongoing interactions and mutual dependence or collaboration.
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Are connections always positive?
Not always; some connections can be negative or harmful.
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Is a connection a type of relationship?
A connection can be seen as a component or initial stage of a relationship.
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Can connections be fleeting?
Yes, some connections are brief or occur only in specific contexts.
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Are familial relationships formed by default?
Familial relationships are established by birth or marriage but can vary in closeness.
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Can a connection become a relationship?
Yes, connections can develop into relationships with time and interaction.
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Can technology create connections?
Yes, technology facilitates various types of connections, like internet or Bluetooth connections.
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Can a relationship end but the connection remain?
Yes, the underlying connection may persist even if the relationship changes or ends.
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Is emotional investment necessary in a relationship?
Generally, relationships involve some level of emotional engagement.
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Do relationships evolve over time?
Yes, relationships often evolve and change over time.
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Are professional relationships different from personal ones?
Yes, professional relationships are typically more formal and goal-oriented.
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Is trust important in both connections and relationships?
Trust is crucial in forming and maintaining both connections and relationships.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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