manage
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bring about or succeed in accomplishing, sometimes despite difficulty or hardship.
She managed to see the governor. How does she manage it on such a small income?
-
to take charge or care of.
to manage my investments.
-
to dominate or influence (a person) by tact, flattery, or artifice.
He manages the child with exemplary skill.
-
to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use.
She managed the boat efficiently.
-
to wield (a weapon, tool, etc.).
- Synonyms:
- manipulate, handle
-
to handle or train (a horse) in the exercises of the manège.
-
Archaic. to use sparingly or with judgment, as health or money; husband.
verb (used without object)
-
to conduct business, commercial affairs, etc.; be in charge.
Who will manage while the boss is away?
-
to continue to function, progress, or succeed, usually despite hardship or difficulty; get along.
How will he manage with his wife gone? It was a rough time, but we managed.
verb
-
(also intr) to be in charge (of); administer
to manage one's affairs
to manage a shop
-
to succeed in being able (to do something) despite obstacles; contrive
did you manage to go to sleep?
-
to have room, time, etc, for
can you manage dinner tomorrow?
-
to exercise control or domination over, often in a tactful or guileful manner
-
(intr) to contrive to carry on despite difficulties, esp financial ones
he managed quite well on very little money
-
to wield or handle (a weapon)
-
rare to be frugal in the use of
noun
Related Words
See rule.
Other Word Forms
- overmanage verb (used with object)
- quasi-managed adjective
- self-managing adjective
- undermanage verb (used with object)
- undermanaged adjectiveundermanaged, undermanaging
- unmanaged adjective
- well-managed adjective
Etymology
Origin of manage
First recorded in 1555–65; earlier manege, from Italian maneggiare “to handle, train (horses),” derivative of mano, from Latin manus “hand”
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.
Carmen said: "I'm usually very careful about tracking and cancelling subscriptions, but Adobe Creative Cloud's approach felt especially unfair and difficult to manage."
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Fund managers continue to tout the resources they have to manage through the change in investor sentiment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
A private key is a very large, random, secret number that allows you to manage and access your funds.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
It’s an honor to know that I manage these three guys.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
We take a break when the pasta comes, though I only manage to eat a few bites after my five breadsticks.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
