Words / A2

OP-uh-rayt/ˈɒpəreɪt/

Operate means control a machine, or cut a patient in hospital: operate a machine, operate on someone, operate from an office (a company works from there). Use is the everyday cousin for machines (use the printer). Run can mean manage a business. Operation is the noun. Do not write operate when you mean cooperate (work together), or opera.

Meaning

To control a machine, or to cut someone in a hospital to treat them.

Examples

• “Do you know how to operate the ticket machine?”
• “Staff will show you how to operate the coffee machine.”
• “The surgeon operated on his knee last spring.”

Good to know

operate a machine / operate on a patient. Everyday: use. Noun: operation. Mix-up: cooperate.

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