Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Operate: Definition, Usage & Examples in English (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：control a machine (operate)

operate 🔊

/ˈɒp.ə.reɪt/

To make a machine or system start working or continue to work properly.

Operate a machine illustrated by hands using a printer control panel.

control a machine 🔊

➕

/kənˈtrəʊl ə məˈʃiːn/

To make a machine or system function properly by starting or managing its operations.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'operari' (to work); root 'oper-' meaning work, with verb suffix '-ate'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'operate' like 'operator' – someone who makes things work, especially machines or in surgery.

📖 Example

My friend taught me how to operate the new coffee machine at home. 🔊 My friend instructed me on using the new coffee machine at home.

🔗 Collocations

operate a vehicle – to drive or control a vehicle

operate machinery – to work with machines

operate a system – to make a system function

🔄 Synonyms

use (v.) – to employ something for a purpose

control (v.) – to direct or command the functioning of

manage (v.) – to handle or direct the operation of

🚫 Antonyms

disable (v.) – to make unable to function

break (v.) – to cause to stop working

🌱 Derivatives

operation (n.) – the process of operating something

operator (n.) – a person who operates something

operable (adj.) – able to be operated

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'operari', meaning 'to work or toil'. In modern English, it is commonly used in technical contexts for machines and in medical fields for surgical procedures.

Meaning 2：perform surgery (operate)

operate 🔊

/ˈɒp.ə.reɪt/

To perform a medical procedure, using instruments on a patient's body to treat an injury or illness.

perform surgery 🔊

➕

/pərˈfɔːrm ˈsɜːrdʒəri/

To carry out a surgical procedure on a patient to treat a medical condition.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The doctor will operate on my grandmother's knee next week to help her walk better. 🔊 The surgeon is scheduled to perform surgery on my grandmother's knee next week to improve her mobility.

🔗 Collocations

operate on a patient – to perform surgery on someone

operate successfully – to complete a surgery with good results

operate in an emergency – to perform surgery urgently

🔄 Synonyms

perform surgery (v. phrase) – to carry out a medical operation

conduct an operation (v. phrase) – to execute a surgical procedure

surgically treat (v.) – to treat using surgical methods

🚫 Antonyms

heal naturally (v. phrase) – to recover without surgical intervention

🌱 Derivatives

operation (n.) – a surgical procedure

operative (adj.) – relating to or involving surgery