correlation

noun  B2
Plain meaning

a connection between two things that seem to change together

Exam-register meaning

a statistical or observed relationship between variables, not necessarily a cause-and-effect link

In context
generalThere is a correlation between practice time and test scores.
examThe study found a strong correlation between income level and access to private healthcare.
Common collocations
strong correlationpositive correlationcorrelation between
Watch out
Correlation does not prove causation. Do not write that one factor 'caused' another unless evidence supports it.
Word family
correlate (verb)correlated (adjective/participle)correlative (adjective)
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Researchers observed a  ______  between sleep duration and academic performance.

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