Also spelled co-operate
verb
Freq #4845
Meanings
-
1
verb
To work together with others toward a shared goal.
The two companies agreed to cooperate on the new project.
-
2
verb
To do what someone asks and be helpful instead of causing problems.
The witness refused to cooperate with the police.
Thesaurus
Word family
Forms
cooperatedcooperatescooperating
Derived forms
cooperatingcoopetenoncooperatinguncooperating
Etymology
Originated 1595–1605 from Late Latin cooperātus, perfect passive participle of cooperor (“to work with”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Equivalent to co- + operate. Displaced native Old English efnwyrċan.
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