manage

[man-ij]

verb (used with object)

managed, managing 

1. 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?

   Synonyms: contrive, arrange

2. to take charge or care of.

   to manage my investments.

3. to dominate or influence (a person) by tact, flattery, or artifice.

   He manages the child with exemplary skill.

4. to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use.

   She managed the boat efficiently.

   Synonyms: engineer, regulate, conduct, guide

5. to wield (a weapon, tool, etc.).

   Synonyms: manipulate, handle

6. to handle or train (a horse) in the exercises of the manège.

7. Archaic.,  to use sparingly or with judgment, as health or money; husband.

verb (used without object)

managed, managing 

1. to conduct business, commercial affairs, etc.; be in charge.

   Who will manage while the boss is away?

2. 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.

manage

/ ˈmænɪdʒ /

verb

1. (also intr) to be in charge (of); administer

   to manage one's affairs

   to manage a shop

2. to succeed in being able (to do something) despite obstacles; contrive

   did you manage to go to sleep?

3. to have room, time, etc, for

   can you manage dinner tomorrow?

4. to exercise control or domination over, often in a tactful or guileful manner

5. (intr) to contrive to carry on despite difficulties, esp financial ones

   he managed quite well on very little money

6. to wield or handle (a weapon)

7. rare,  to be frugal in the use of

noun

1. an archaic word for manège

Other Word Forms

• overmanage verb (used with object)
• quasi-managed adjective
• self-managing adjective
• undermanage verb (used with object)
• undermanaged adjective
• unmanaged adjective
• well-managed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manage¹

First recorded in 1555–65; earlier manege, from Italian maneggiare “to handle, train (horses),” derivative of mano, from Latin manus “hand”

Word History and Origins

Origin of manage¹

C16: from Italian maneggiare to control, train (esp horses), ultimately from Latin manus hand

Synonym Study

See rule.

Example Sentences

Last year, the conservancy — which manages 88% of the island — scrapped a proposal to shoot the deer from helicopters, facing community outrage and opposition from local representatives.

From Los Angeles Times

She eventually managed to get a refund of £20.

From BBC

In many of these towns, patients rely on anyone who seems medically knowledgeable - from informal practitioners to shopkeepers - to manage even routine coughs.

From BBC

He also did stints managing teams in Macau and Singapore.

From BBC

It accused the charity African Parks of failing to curb poaching, ending a 15-year mandate to manage two of its protected sites in the central African country.

From BBC

Related Words

• administer 
• conduct 
• dominate 
• govern 
• guide 
• handle 
• maintain 
• operate 
• oversee 
• regulate 
• run 
• supervise 
• take care of 
• take over 
• train 
• use