Operator Meaning
/ˈɒpəˌɹeɪtə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person or organisation that operates a device, system, service, etc.
nounA telecommunications facilitator whose job is to connect or otherwise assist callers.
Sentence Examples
Tom became good friends with the elevator operator in their hotel.
Call the operator at 104 then.
The machine comes with a plastic guard over the blade to protect the operator.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The polite phone ____ connected my important call to the right department.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The crane ____ carefully lowered the steel beam into position on the construction site.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin operātor, from operor (“work, labour”). Equivalent to operate + -or.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The stories did not seem to me to touch life. […] They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator."
— 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
"Oh, a very well-known man. He has a great reputation as an operator for peritonitis."
— 1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados:
"Francis Urquhart: I think Lord Billsborough is starting to lose touch a bit.
Tim Stamper: Shame. Used to be a hell of an operator in his day."
— 1990, House of Cards, season 1, episode 1:
"Sir Ol. Sirrah! I got many a round Sum by it, when my Father wou'd not give me a Groat—Then, Sir, I was in with all the Top Gameſters, and when there was a fat Squire to be fleec'd; I had my Office among them too, and tho' I ſay it, was one of the neateſt Operators about Town."
— 1709 January 11, Colley Cibber, “The Rival Fools: […]”, in Mr. Cibber's Plays, volume II, London: […] B. Lintot […], published 1721, page 104:
"Hank was saying, "Lyssa showed me the screenshots of Nate's accounts, so we know he's helping himself to Nate's money every month. The guy's a real operator.""
— 2016, C. T. Collier, Planted, Scottsdale, A.Z.: Asdee Press, →ISBN, page 301:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The polite phone ____ connected my important call to the right department.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The crane ____ carefully lowered the steel beam into position on the construction site.