DictionaryAI

operator

noun
USOP-uh-ray-tur/ˈɑpəˌɹeɪtɚ/UKOP-uh-ray-tuh/ˈɒpəˌɹeɪtə/

Pluraloperators

14 meanings of operator

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A person or company that runs or controls a machine, system, or service.

    The crane operator lifted the steel beams onto the truck.

    Tour operators in the area offer boat trips to the islands.

    Similardriver, user, provider

    Note
  2. 2
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A person whose job is to connect telephone calls or help callers.

    She pressed zero and asked the operator to help her make the call.

    The hotel operator can connect you to any room.

    Similartelephonist

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
    Someone who is clever at making deals and getting things done, sometimes in ways that are not honest.

    Everyone knew he was an operator who could get permits no one else could.

    She's a smooth operator who always lands the best contracts.

    Similarfixer, dealmaker, hustler

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A soldier in a special military team that carries out dangerous secret missions.

    The operator checked his gear one last time before the night raid.

    Operators from the unit trained for months before the rescue mission.

    Similarcommando, operative

  5. 5
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A symbol in computer code, such as + or =, that tells the computer what to do with values.

    Like the buttons on a calculator that tell it to add or subtract.

    The plus sign is an operator that adds two numbers in the program.

    Some operators compare two values and say which one is bigger.

    Note
  6. 6
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A math rule that takes values and turns them into other values.

    Like a machine that takes in a number and gives out a different one.

    The square root operator turns 9 into 3.

    In class we learned how each operator changes the numbers you give it.

    Similartransformation, map, mapping

    Note
  7. 7
    nouncountable or uncountable
    The company that runs a mine, often the same company that owns it.

    The operator closed the mine after the accident.

    Mine operators must follow safety rules to protect their workers.

    Note
  8. 8
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A person whose job is to drive a bus.

    The operator opened the bus doors and waited for everyone to get on.

    Bus operators on this route work long shifts.

    Similardriver

    Note
  9. 9
    nounslangcountable or uncountable
    A criminal who runs big or important illegal activities.

    The police spent years trying to catch the operator behind the smuggling ring.

    He was no small thief. He was a big operator with friends in every port.

    Similarkingpin, gangster, mobster, boss

    Note
  10. 10
    nounslangcountable or uncountable
    A person who steals or who tricks people out of their money.

    Watch your bag at the station. Some operator might try to steal it.

    That salesman was an operator who took her money and disappeared.

    Similarthief, swindler, crook, hustler, grifter

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin operator, from the verb operor meaning "to work."