Meaning & use
configure
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To set up the parts or settings of a piece of equipment, program, or system so that it works in the way you want.
Grammar: Takes an object: configure the software. It is mostly used about machines and systems, not people or plans.
Patterns
- configure something
- configure something for something
- configure something to do something
You can configure the router to block certain websites.
The technician configured the new computer for the office network.
The app lets you configure how often it checks for updates.
verbtransitivetechnical
To arrange the parts of something in a particular shape or pattern, especially in computing or science.
Grammar: Often used in technical contexts: configure the memory, configure the atoms.
Patterns
- configure something as something
- configure something in a particular way
The engineers configured the solar panels in a V shape to catch more light.
The program can be configured in several different ways.
Word forms
| third person singular | configures |
|---|---|
| past tense | configured |
| past participle | configured |
| -ing form | configuring |
Common combinations
- configure a system
- It took an hour to configure the system correctly.
- configure the settings
- You should configure the settings before you start using the camera.
- fully configured
- The laptop arrived fully configured and ready to use.
- configure for
- This printer is configured for wireless use.
Synonyms and how they differ
- set up
- More general and informal; you set up a meeting or a business, but you configure a device or software.
- arrange
- Focuses on putting things in order or position, not on making settings work; you arrange furniture, not a computer program.
- customize
- Means to change something to suit your personal taste; configure is more about making it function correctly.
Word family
- configuration noun
- The way the parts of something are arranged or set up.
- configurable adjective
- Able to be set up in different ways.
Commonly confused: configure or conform?
configure vs conform
Conform means to behave according to rules or standards; configure means to set up a system.
Practice
Before you use the new printer, you need to ______ it to your computer network.
Choose one answer.
Configure means to set up equipment so it works; conform means to follow rules, confirm means to make sure something is true, and confine means to limit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “configure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.