coordinate
/koʊˈɔːr.dɪ.neɪt/To organize different people, tasks, or activities so they work together smoothly and at the right time. You use this word when several parts need to connect and align, not just be arranged.
- She coordinated the rescue teams from three different cities.
- We need to coordinate our schedules before the project starts.
- The NGO coordinator coordinated relief efforts across the region.
A number (or set of numbers) that gives the exact position of a point on a map, graph, or in space. Almost always used in the plural form: coordinates.
- Share the GPS coordinates so I can find the venue.
- Plot the coordinates on the graph to see the data pattern.
Equal in rank, importance, or level. In grammar, a coordinate clause has the same status as the clause it is joined to — neither depends on the other.
- The two departments have coordinate authority over the project.
- She wrote two coordinate clauses linked by 'and'.
Adinary Nuance
Coordinate vs. organize, arrange, and synchronize — these are easy to confuse, but each word has a different focus. Organize means to create structure or system — you organize files, data, or a room. Arrange means to put things in a specific order or plan a single event. Coordinate is stronger: it specifically implies that multiple people or moving parts must align and work together at the same time — it has a dynamic, relational quality. Synchronize is the closest near-neighbor and focuses on timing (synchronize watches, synchronize steps), while coordinate covers both timing and roles. In academic and IELTS writing, "coordinate" is the preferred word when describing collaboration across departments, agencies, or teams.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Phối hợp
- Spanish
- Coordinar
- Chinese
- 协调
- Japanese
- 調整する
- Korean
- 조율하다
Etymology
From Latin "coordinare," meaning to arrange things in order together, formed from "co-" (together) and "ordinare" (to order or arrange). The word entered English in the mid-17th century, with the noun sense of geographic coordinates emerging in mathematics and navigation shortly after.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'coordinate' and 'organize'?
- 'Organize' means creating structure or order, like organizing your notes. 'Coordinate' means making sure multiple people or activities work together at the same time toward a shared goal. You organize a filing system; you coordinate a team.
- Is 'coordinate' a formal word? Can I use it in IELTS writing?
- Yes, 'coordinate' is a formal, academic-register verb and is very appropriate for IELTS Task 1 and Task 2 writing, especially in topics about government, health, or business. It is a high-frequency word in academic English (IELTS Band 7+ vocabulary).
- What does 'coordinates' mean in geography or math?
- 'Coordinates' (always plural in this sense) are numbers that pinpoint an exact location on a map or graph. For example, GPS coordinates tell you the exact latitude and longitude of a place.
- Can 'coordinate' be used as a noun and an adjective too?
- Yes. As a noun, it means a position number (GPS coordinates). As an adjective, it means equal in rank — used mainly in grammar (a 'coordinate clause') or formal writing. The verb form is by far the most common in everyday and academic use.