YOYO English Club

What's the exact meaning of "associate" as a person? How is an associate different from an acquaintance or a friend?

I guess sometimes they are the same. But you may break people's heart when you refer them as your acquaintances because it sounds "distant".

According to Longman Dictionary,

Associate is "someone who you work or do business with [= colleague]"

Acquaintance is "someone you know, but who is not a close friend" ( I see a term in the dictionary => acquaintance rape = date rape)