operator
/ˈɒpəreɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːpəreɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər ˈä-ˌprā-/ (ame, mw)
operator — noun
1. a worker paid to run a machine, large equipment, or sometimes a vehicle
a worker paid to run a machine, large equipment, or sometimes a vehicle
The crane operator lifted steel beams onto the new station roof.
collocation: crane operator
In the factory, one operator stopped the machine before the jam worsened.
operator + machine in workplace context
The bus operator checked every mirror before the morning route began.
A camera operator followed Maya across the stage during rehearsal.
Skilled operators kept the road machines moving through the night.
- driver
more usual in everyday English for cars, buses, and taxis
- technician
focuses more on technical skill and repair than on controlling equipment
- controller
suggests directing a system or process, not physically running the machine
文法句型
machine operator
crane operator
camera operator
用法筆記
Often used for industrial equipment, heavy machines, and some formal transport job titles. For ordinary road vehicles, driver is usually the more natural everyday word.
常見錯誤
2. a business, or the person behind it, that provides a particular service
a business, or the person behind it, that provides a particular service
The tour operator changed our hotel after the storm hit Hualien.
collocation: tour operator
A local bus operator added two night routes for hospital workers.
business noun before operator
The mobile operator offered free data to new students this month.
Small ferry operators asked the city for help after fuel prices rose.
The ski resort operator closed the main lift during strong winds.
文法句型
tour operator
bus operator
mobile operator
用法筆記
Most common after another noun that names the service, as in tour operator or network operator. It is less natural for an ordinary small shop or family restaurant.
常見錯誤
3. a worker who joins calls together on a company's or hotel's phone lines
a worker who joins calls together on a company's or hotel's phone lines
The hotel operator put my call through to Room 812.
put a call through
When I dialed zero, the operator asked which office I needed.
call the operator by dialing zero
Before direct dialing, operators connected long-distance calls by hand.
The switchboard operator announced the fire drill over the speaker.
At the hospital, an operator transferred Julia to the night nurse.
- switchboard worker
more descriptive and strongly tied to office phone systems
- telephonist
an older word, especially in British English
- receptionist
may answer calls, but the role is broader than connecting phone lines
文法句型
call the operator
hotel operator
switchboard operator
用法筆記
Common in older phone systems, hotels, hospitals, and large offices. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is a person handling calls, not a company providing phone service.
常見錯誤
4. someone who handles people very cleverly to get an advantage, often by tricking
someone who handles people very cleverly to get an advantage, often by tricking them
At dinner, Ben was the smooth operator, flattering both investors until they signed.
fixed phrase: smooth operator
The salesman looked friendly, but Maya saw an operator behind the smile.
In city politics, clever operators trade favors before the cameras arrive.
Rosa called him an operator after he changed both teams' plans.
That operator talked his way past security and into the meeting.
- schemer
more clearly negative and stresses secret planning
- manipulator
focuses on controlling other people emotionally or socially
- fixer
often suggests someone who gets difficult things arranged through contacts
- straightforward person
someone who deals openly instead of using hidden tactics
文法句型
a smooth operator
clever operator
political operator
用法筆記
Usually slightly negative and often used to admire someone's skill while also suggesting they are not fully honest. Distinguish from sense 1, where operator is a job title for someone controlling equipment.
常見錯誤
5. a sign or function in maths that tells you what to do with numbers or values
a sign or function in maths that tells you what to do with numbers or values
In 9 - 4, the minus sign acts as the operator.
operator = sign in an equation
The class learned how the division operator changes the answer.
collocation: division operator
On the board, each operator stood between two numbers.
Our teacher circled the plus operator before checking the sum.
This math game uses a new operator to move each number.
文法句型
plus operator
division operator
logical operator
用法筆記
Used in mathematics, logic, and computing. The word names the sign or function itself, not the numbers on either side of it.