cooperate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to work or act together or jointly for a common purpose or benefit.
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to work or act with another or other persons willingly and agreeably.
- Synonyms:
- participate, join, collaborate
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to practice economic cooperation.
verb
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to work or act together
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to be of assistance or be willing to assist
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economics (of firms, workers, consumers, etc) to engage in economic cooperation
Other Word Forms
- co-operator noun
- cooperator noun
- uncooperating adjective
Etymology
Origin of cooperate
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin cooperātus, past participle of cooperārī “to work with”; co-, operate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The one who wondered whether her body would ever cooperate with her longing.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
The navy is also in contact "with the diplomatic missions of the crew members' countries of origin" to cooperate and exchange information in real time, the statement said.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
But the agency did not say whether it would cooperate with the local authorities or follow a court ruling requiring it to do so.
From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026
Hours later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Spain had “agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
The left side of my face still would not cooperate.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
