operate
gb/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/ us/ˈɑpɚˌeɪt/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Control and make something work
To use and control a machine or system so that it works.
Usage pattern:
to operate [a machine/device/system]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'operate' with 'repair'. Operating means using, not fixing.
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.)
Collocations
operate machinery
|operate equipment
|operate a vehicle
|operate a computer
|operate controls
Themes
technology
|work
|daily life
Examples
- He operates the crane at the construction site.
- You need special training to operate this type of forklift.
- 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.
- He operates the bus every day.
- She operates the computer well.
- We operate the lights from here.
Verb
B1
action
2
Perform surgery on someone
To cut into someone's body to fix or remove something inside.
Usage pattern:
to operate on [someone/something] for [a condition]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to include 'on' after 'operate' in this sense.
Synonyms
perform surgery (More formal and explicit medical term for the same action.)
Antonyms
heal naturally (Letting the body recover without surgical intervention.)
Collocations
operate on a patient
|operate on the heart
|operate on an injury
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- The surgeon will operate on her knee tomorrow.
- They had to operate on his appendix immediately.
- A team of doctors operated on the wounded soldier.
Learner examples
- The doctor will operate on my arm.
- They operate on sick people in the hospital.
- She operated on the dog's leg.
Verb
B1
action
3
Function or be in working order
To work or function as planned.
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.)
Collocations
operate smoothly
|operate efficiently
|operate continuously
Themes
technology
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The elevator is not operating today.
- Our company operates in over 50 countries.
- This software operates on both Windows and Mac systems.
Learner examples
- The machine is operating well.
- The store operates all week.
- The website operates day and night.
Verb
B1
action
4
Manage and run a business or organization
To run and be in charge of a company or service.
Usage pattern:
to operate [a company/organization/service]
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.)
Collocations
operate a restaurant
|operate a service
|operate a franchise
Themes
business
|work
Examples
- They operate several hotels in the city.
- The charity operates a shelter for homeless people.
- She operates her own online store.
Learner examples
- They operate a small shop.
- My uncle operates a taxi service.
- We operate two restaurants in town.
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.