noun

relative

REL-uh-tiv/rˈɛlʌtɪv/

A person connected to someone by family ties.

The girl looks through a family photograph with an older relative, her grandmother.

A Black grandmother and granddaughter compare a family photo together.

Etymology

reLatinback

+latLatinto carry, bear

+iveLatinhaving a tendency or relation

From “carrying back” came the idea of having reference or relation to something else. The family noun specializes that broader connection: a relative is someone connected to another through kinship.

In context

Jews for Judaism5:54

a child has not been named after this deceased person in the family so in ashkenazic families it's very common to name a new child after a deceased relative

THE LIFE CYCLE OF JUDAISM: From Cradle to Grave - Rabbi Michael Skobac - Jews for Judaism

More examples

My aunt is the only relative who lives nearby.
Are you and Maria relatives?
He stays with distant relatives when he visits Chicago.

Forms

relative · relatives

Similar words

relation: Also means a family member, but is less common.
kin: Usually refers to family members collectively rather than individually.