administrate
C1/C2 (Low to Mid-Frequency)Formal, Technical, Business
Definition
Meaning
To manage the affairs of an organization or system; to carry out administrative duties.
To oversee the implementation of policies, procedures, or the daily operations of a department, business, or institution, ensuring its smooth and effective functioning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A formal and somewhat technical synonym for 'administer' or 'manage'. It often implies the application of systematic procedures and oversight. 'Administer' is more common in general and legal contexts (e.g., administer an oath, administer medication).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the verb 'administer' is generally more common in both varieties. 'Administrate' can sometimes sound more technical or deliberate.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can sound slightly bureaucratic, jargony, or pretentious if used where 'manage' or 'run' would suffice.
Frequency
Used infrequently in both UK and US English, more likely found in corporate, IT, or academic management contexts than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] + administrate + [O] (direct object)[S] + administrate + [O] + [A] (adverbial of manner/purpose)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in job titles or descriptions for roles involving the management of systems or processes (e.g., 'Systems Administrator').
Academic
Used in political science, public administration, or management studies to describe the act of governing or managing public affairs.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. 'Manage' or 'run' are overwhelmingly preferred.
Technical
Common in IT contexts for managing servers, databases, networks, or software systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was hired to administrate the new clinical database.
- The council finds it challenging to administrate such a vast housing portfolio.
American English
- His primary role is to administrate the company's cloud network.
- A new committee will be formed to administrate the grant funds.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'administratively'.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'administratively'.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'administrative'.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'administrative'.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher helps to administrate the school's website.
- Someone needs to administrate this project properly.
- The software allows you to easily administrate user permissions across the platform.
- A dedicated team was appointed to administrate the complex merger process.
- Her thesis explores how local governments administrate environmental policy in the absence of clear federal guidelines.
- The foundation requires a trustee who can strategically administrate its growing endowment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'ADMINISTRATOR'. To ADMINISTRATE is what an ADMINISTRATOR does.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A MACHINE / SYSTEM (e.g., 'administrate the network' implies keeping a complex system running smoothly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'администрировать' in casual contexts where 'управлять' (to manage/run) or 'заведовать' (to be in charge of) is more natural. In English, 'administrate' is a formal, specific verb.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'administrate' when 'administer' is correct (e.g., 'administer medicine', not 'administrate medicine').
- Overusing 'administrate' in informal writing to sound more professional, resulting in unnatural phrasing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'administrate' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Administer' is broader and more common. It can mean to manage (administer a department), to give (administer medicine/justice), or to apply (administer a test). 'Administrate' is narrower, focusing almost exclusively on the management and execution of administrative or systemic functions.
It is a real, standard English verb, but it is formal and used much less frequently than 'manage' or 'administer'. Its use is indeed most common in bureaucratic, corporate, and technical jargon.
Not typically for individuals directly. You administrate systems, processes, organisations, or resources. You manage, supervise, or lead people. For example, you 'administrate a budget' but 'manage a team'.
The most direct noun is 'administration'. A person who administrates is an 'administrator'. The act or process is 'administration'.
Explore