operating

/ˈɒp.ər.eɪ.tɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑː.pər.eɪ.t̬ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tiŋ ˈä-ˌprā-/ (ame, mw)

operating — adjective

  • operatingpositive
  • more operatingcomparative
  • most operatingsuperlative

1. connected with the main work through which a company earns money each day

1.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with the main work through which a company earns money each day

例句

The airline lowered operating costs by using smaller planes on short routes.

operating + costs in business accounts

Our clinic's operating budget cannot cover another full-time nurse this year.

operating + budget

同義詞
  • business

    is broader and can describe many company-related matters, not only the day-to-day running side

  • operational

    is close, but it often emphasizes practical systems and procedures rather than income or profit figures

  • administrative

    is narrower and often focuses on office management or paperwork

反義詞
  • strategic

    focuses on long-term direction instead of the company's daily business activity

文法句型

operating costs

operating budget

operating profit

用法筆記

Usually comes before nouns such as costs, budget, profit, income, and decisions. Distinguish from adjective/2, which describes a machine or service that is currently working.

常見錯誤

❌The company cut operation costs last winter.
✅The company cut operating costs last winter.
💡Use operating, not the noun operation, before business nouns such as costs and budget.

2. currently running and available for people to use

2.形容詞B2
釋義

currently running and available for people to use

例句

Only one operating printer was available during the entrance exam.

operating + equipment still available

Firefighters found the emergency radio still operating after the basement flood.

pattern: still operating after damage

同義詞
  • working

    is the everyday choice and is less formal

  • functioning

    stresses that the parts are doing their job properly

  • active

    can overlap, but it often means switched on or officially in effect

反義詞
  • broken

    suggests damage or failure

  • out of service

    is common for public equipment and transport facilities

  • idle

    can mean not being used, even if the equipment still works

文法句型

operating printer

still operating

operating water pump

用法筆記

Often describes equipment, services, or systems that are still running or ready for immediate use. Unlike adjective/1, this sense is about current function, not about a company's business activity.

常見錯誤

❌Only one printer was operation after the storm.
✅Only one printer was operating after the storm.
💡After be, use operating to describe equipment that is still running.