colleague vs associate

colleague and associate both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
colleague	Yes	No	No	No
associate	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As nouns, associate is a hypernym of colleague; that is, associate is a word with a broader meaning than colleague:

As nouns, associate is a hypernym of colleague; that is, associate is a word with a broader meaning than colleague:

colleague (noun)	associate (noun)
an associate that one works with	a degree granted by a two-year college on successful completion of the undergraduates course of studies
a person who is member of one's class or profession	any event that usually accompanies or is closely connected with another
	a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
	a friend who is frequently in the company of another
	a person with subordinate membership in a society, institution, or commercial enterprise

colleague (adjective)	associate (adjective)
	having partial rights and privileges or subordinate status

colleague (verb)	associate (verb)
	make a logical or causal connection
	bring or come into association or action
	keep company with; hang out with