Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who operates or controls a machine or piece of equipment: An "operator" is someone who runs a device, system, or apparatus.
   • A person who runs a business or enterprise: An "operator" can be the owner or manager of a business, franchise, or industrial site.
   • A shrewd or resourceful person, especially in business: Informally, an "operator" describes a clever, sometimes unscrupulous, person skilled at managing situations to their advantage.
   • A symbol or function in mathematics: In mathematics, an "operator" is a symbol (like +, −, ×) or a function that denotes a specific mathematical operation.

Examples of Usage

• Person controlling a machine:
  • The crane operator lifted the steel beam with precision.
  • She worked as a telephone operator for many years.
• Person running a business:
  • The tour operator arranged all our flights and hotels.
  • He is the operator of a successful chain of restaurants.
• Shrewd or resourceful person:
  • Be careful when negotiating with him; he's a real smooth operator.
  • In the world of finance, she's known as a clever operator.
• Mathematical symbol:
  • The plus sign (+) is an arithmetic operator.
  • The differential operator is a fundamental concept in calculus.

Advanced Usage

• "Smooth operator": A phrase used to describe someone who is charming, persuasive, and skilled at dealing with people, often in a manipulative way.
  • He can talk anyone into anything; he's a real smooth operator.
• "Tour operator": A company or person that organizes and sells package holidays.
  • We booked our vacation through a reputable tour operator.

Variants and Related Words

• Operate (verb): To control the functioning of a machine or to manage a business.
  • Do you know how to operate this software?
• Operation (noun): The action of functioning or the process of working; also, a business organization or a surgical procedure.
  • The operation of the factory is very efficient.
• Operative (adjective/noun): Functioning or having effect; also, a worker or a secret agent.
  • The new law is now operative.
  • He was a covert operative for the government.

Synonyms

• Controller: A person or device that directs or regulates.
• Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff.
• Machinist: A person who operates a machine, especially a machine tool.
• Entrepreneur: A person who organizes and operates a business, taking on financial risk.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• To operate on (someone): To perform a surgical procedure.
  • The surgeon will operate on the patient tomorrow.
• To operate under (a principle/assumption): To function based on a specific idea or condition.
  • The team is operating under the assumption that funding will be approved.

Related Idioms

• A wheel operator: (Slang) Similar to "smooth operator," implying someone who is adept at manipulating situations.
  • Don't trust his deals; he's a known wheel operator.
• In operation: Functioning or being used.
  • The new system has been in operation for a month now.

Noun

1. a speculator who trades aggressively on stock or commodity markets
2. a shrewd or unscrupulous person who knows how to circumvent difficulties
3. someone who owns or operates a business
   • who is the operator of this franchise?
4. an agent that operates some apparatus or machine
   • the operator of the switchboard
5. (mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation