From the Webster:
Definition of associate
associated; associating
transitive verb
1: to join as a partner, friend, or companion
- They were closely associated with each other during the war.
2: to join or connect together :
combine
- particles of gold associated with heavy minerals
3: to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)
- She will always associate that place with her youth.
4 obsolete : to keep company with :
attend
intransitive verb
1: to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
- was accused of associating with known criminals
2: to combine or join with other parts :
unite
- Protons, neutrons, and electrons associate together to form atoms.
So umm...yeah...pretty sure the word you were looking for was "acquaintance". That's a person you know but don't consider a friend. Grammar Nazi out.