coordinate

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To organize the parts of an activity or the people involved so that they work together smoothly.

   Grammar: Takes an object (coordinate the rescue) or none, with with: coordinate with the team.

   Patterns

   • coordinate something
   • coordinate with someone
   • coordinate something with something

   She coordinates volunteers at the food bank every weekend.

   The two agencies must coordinate with each other during emergencies.

   He coordinated the move so that all the boxes arrived on time.

2. 2nounusually pluralmathematics

   One of a set of numbers or letters that together show the exact position of a point on a map or graph.

   Grammar: Usually plural in this sense: the coordinates of the point; pronounced with a noun-style ending.

   Patterns

   • the coordinates of something
   • give someone the coordinates

   Pilots were given the coordinates of the landing site.

   Plot the point using its x and y coordinates.

   The map shows the coordinates of every lighthouse.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   To make clothes or decorations look good together by choosing matching colors or styles.

   Grammar: Used with an object or with with: the scarf coordinates with the coat.

   Patterns

   • coordinate something with something
   • something coordinates with something

   She coordinated her handbag with her shoes.

   The curtains coordinate nicely with the rug.

   Try to coordinate the colors of the napkins and the tablecloth.

Word forms

Common combinations

coordinate efforts

Local groups agreed to coordinate their efforts after the flood.

coordinate with

Please coordinate with the sales team before you send the offer.

GPS coordinates

Send me the GPS coordinates of the cabin.

coordinate a response

The mayor's office coordinated the emergency response.

x and y coordinates

Each point on the graph has x and y coordinates.

Synonyms and how they differ

organize

Organize means to arrange something in general, while coordinate stresses getting several parts to work together.

harmonize

Harmonize suggests making things agree or blend, often in style, whereas coordinate also covers scheduling and teamwork.

manage

Manage puts you in charge of something, and coordinate means linking parts without necessarily having authority.

match

Match is used for appearance only, but coordinate can also describe actions.

Opposites

Word family

coordination noun

the organizing of parts so they work well together

coordinator noun

a person who organizes an activity

coordinated adjective

working well together or matching

uncoordinated adjective

clumsy or badly organized

co-ordinate verb

a British spelling variant

Commonly confused: coordinate or cooperate?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “coordinate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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