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- pronunciation:
- a
p
reIt
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
operates, operating, operated |
| definition 1: |
to function in a correct or effective manner, as a machine.
These machines operate by remote control.The computer has been dropped a number of times, but it's still operating.- synonyms:
- function, go, run, work
- similar words:
- act, behave, handle, perform
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| definition 2: |
to be in the process of action; carry on affairs.
- similar words:
- act, function, perform, work
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| definition 3: |
to perform a surgical procedure (often fol. by "on").
The surgeon is still operating and cannot speak with you now.The doctors operated on his heart last year and now it's his spleen.She operated on a very young child this morning.- similar words:
- open
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| definition 4: |
(informal) to act with skillful deception so as to improve one's own situation.
- synonyms:
- finagle, machinate
- similar words:
- insinuate onself, maneuver, plot, scheme
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| related words: |
ride |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition: |
to control the functioning of a machine or the like.
She operates a drill press at work.He's learning how to operate his new computer.- synonyms:
- run, work
- similar words:
- drive, handle, use
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| related words: |
employ, fly, manage, pilot, power, supervise, wield |
adverb + (v.)operate
continuously, currently, jointly, manually, privately, remotely
(v.)operate
+ adverb
autonomously, differently, effectively, efficiently, exclusively, freely, independently, legally, normally, openly, properly, safely, simultaneously, smoothly, successfully, under
(v.)operate
+ noun
assumption,
bankruptcy,
capacity,
casino,
charter,
clinic,
constraint,
cost,
efficiency,
equipment,
expense,
facility,
franchise,
generator,
impunity,
income,
machine,
machinery,
margin,
mill,
mode,
permit,
premise,
principle,
profit,
radar,
shuttle,
station,
subsidiary,
telescope,
temperature,
vacuum,
valve,
vehicle
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| derivation: |
operatable (adj.) |
The word operate
contains the following parts:
oper
Latin
root
that means to work
  Example words:
-ate1
Latin
verb-forming suffix
that means to make, cause, do
More about this word part:
The suffix -ate
primarily forms transitive verbs from Latin bases. Many -ate
verbs were loanwords from Latin. Verbs ending in -ate
combine with the suffix -ion to form nouns ending in -ation. These verbs also have corresponding agent nouns ending in -ator (navigator, dictator, elevator).
Example words:
abbreviate, abdicate, abnegate, accelerate, accommodate, accumulate, activate, adequate, adjudicate, administrate, administrative, administrator, advocate, aerate, affiliate, agglomerate, agglutinate, aggravate, agitate, alienate, allocate, alternate, animate, annihilate, annotate, arrogate, aspirate, assimilate, associate, calibrate, capitulate, cerebrate, circulate, collaborate, collocate, commemorate, complicate, concentrate, congregate, consecrate, consummate, cooperate, coordinate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, decimate, dedicate, dehydrate, deliberate, derogate, desecrate, dictate, disintegrate, dislocate, dissimulate, dissociate, divagate, domesticate, dominate, donate, duplicate, educate, elaborate, elevate, elongate, elucidate, emasculate, emigrate, enervate, enunciate, equate, equivocate, eradicate, evacuate, exasperate, exfoliate, expurgate, fluctuate, formulate, generate, gradate, graduate, gyrate, illuminate, illustrate, implicate, incorporate, indoctrinate, innovate, interpellate, interrogate, irradiate, irrigate, legislate, liberate, locate, mediate, motivate, narrate, navigate, negate, nominate, obliterate, operate, orate, originate, ovulate, palpate, participate, placate, populate, prognosticate, proliferate, radiate, regulate, resonate, rotate, segregate, simulate, subjugate, terminate, vacate, validate, contraindicate
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