Cooperate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /koʊˈɒpəɹeɪt/, /kuˈɒpəɹeɪt/

Alternative forms

• co-operate UK, coöperate uncommon

Origin

Originated 1595–1605 from Late Latin cooperatus ("work with"). See co- + operate.

Full definition of cooperate

Verb

1. (intransitive) To work or act together, especially for a common purpose or benefit.
• 2012, November 7, Matt Bai, Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, In polling by the Pew Research Center in November 2008, fully half the respondents thought the two parties would cooperate more in the coming year, versus only 36 percent who thought the climate would grow more adversarial.
2. (intransitive) To allow for mutual unobstructed action
3. (intransitive) To function in harmony, side by side
4. (intransitive) To engage in economic cooperation.

Usage notes

The usual pronunciation of 'oo' is /uː/ or /ʊ/. The dieresis in the spelling coöperate emphasizes that the second o begins a separate syllable. However, the dieresis is becoming increasingly rare in US English typography, so the spelling cooperate predominates. See also .

Synonyms

• to coact
• make common cause

Related terms

• cooperative
• cooperation
• cooperator