operate
gb/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/ us/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/
A2
English
~ 1000
kezel, működtet, vezet, műt, operál, működik, nyitva tart, üzemel, üzemeltet
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to operate [a machine/device/system]
He operates the crane at the construction site.
Az építkezésen ő kezeli a darut.
You need special training to operate this type of forklift.
Ilyen típusú targonca kezeléséhez külön képzésre van szükség.
The technician operated the control panel to start the system.
She operates a sewing machine with great skill.
Learner examples
I can operate the coffee machine.
Tudom kezelni a kávégépet.
He operates the bus every day.
Mindennap buszt vezet.
She operates the computer well.
We operate the lights from here.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operate' with 'repair'. Operating means using, not fixing.
Meaning
Control and make something work
Collocations
operate machinery
|operate equipment
|operate a vehicle
|operate a computer
|operate controls
Synonyms
use (A more general term; may not imply technical control.)
|
run (Informal; often used for operating machines or processes.)
Antonyms
shut down (Means to stop a machine or system from working.)
Themes
technology
|work
|daily life
Definition
To use and control a machine or system so that it works.
To control the functioning of a machine, device, or system and make it perform its intended task.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to operate on [someone/something] for [a condition]
The surgeon will operate on her knee tomorrow.
A sebész holnap megműti a térdét.
They had to operate on his appendix immediately.
Azonnal meg kellett műteni a vakbelét.
A team of doctors operated on the wounded soldier.
Learner examples
The doctor will operate on my arm.
Az orvos meg fogja műteni a karomat.
They operate on sick people in the hospital.
A kórházban beteg embereket műtenek.
She operated on the dog's leg.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to include 'on' after 'operate' in this sense.
Meaning
Perform surgery on someone
Collocations
operate on a patient
|operate on the heart
|operate on an injury
Synonyms
perform surgery (More formal and explicit medical term for the same action.)
Antonyms
heal naturally (Letting the body recover without surgical intervention.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Definition
To cut into someone's body to fix or remove something inside.
To carry out a surgical procedure on a person or animal.
VERB
B1
3
The elevator is not operating today.
A lift ma nem működik.
Our company operates in over 50 countries.
Cégünk több mint 50 országban működik.
This software operates on both Windows and Mac systems.
Learner examples
The machine is operating well.
A gép jól működik.
The store operates all week.
Az üzlet egész héten nyitva tart.
The website operates day and night.
Meaning
Function or be in working order
Collocations
operate smoothly
|operate efficiently
|operate continuously
Synonyms
function (More formal; often used in technical contexts.)
|
work (More casual and general term for functioning.)
Antonyms
malfunction (Describes when something fails to work properly.)
Themes
technology
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To work or function as planned.
To be in action or use; to function as intended.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to operate [a company/organization/service]
They operate several hotels in the city.
Több szállodát üzemeltetnek a városban.
The charity operates a shelter for homeless people.
A jótékonysági szervezet hajléktalanszállót működtet.
She operates her own online store.
Learner examples
They operate a small shop.
Egy kis boltot vezetnek.
My uncle operates a taxi service.
A nagybátyám taxiszolgáltatást működtet.
We operate two restaurants in town.
Meaning
Manage and run a business or organization
Collocations
operate a restaurant
|operate a service
|operate a franchise
Synonyms
manage (General term for being in charge of operations.)
|
run (Informal equivalent for managing a business.)
Antonyms
close down (To end the operation of a business or service.)
Themes
business
|work
Definition
To run and be in charge of a company or service.
To manage and control the activities of a business, organization, or service.
Grammar
Dictionary form
operate
IPA
GB/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/
US/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
op - er - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (op)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: operate
- 3rd Person Singular: operates
- Present Participle: operating
- Past: operated
Word family
Forms
operates
verb
operating
verb
operated
verb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
inoperative
adjective
uncooperative
adjective
Advanced or less common
operative
adjective B2
operationally
adverb
Expressions
operate at full capacity
1/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt ˈæt fˈʊl kəpˈæsɪti/
fixed phrase
Work at maximum level possible
To work as much as possible without stopping or slowing down.
Examples
- The factory is now operating at full capacity to meet demand.
- During peak hours, the servers operate at full capacity.
operate on
1/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Perform surgery on someone/something
To do surgery on someone or an animal to fix or remove something inside their body.
Examples
- The doctors will operate on his back tomorrow.
- They had to operate on the injured cat immediately.
operate within the law
1/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt wɪðˈɪn ðə lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
Act according to the law
To do business or activities without breaking any laws.
Examples
- All businesses must operate within the law.
- The company insists it operates within the law at all times.