Cooperative
koʊˈɑːpərətɪv
Definitions
2 meaningsShowing a willingness to help or be helpful.
koʊˈɑːpərətɪv
Willing to work with others; helpful.
The children were cooperative and shared their toys.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a Lego castle with your friend. If you both share the bricks and help each other, you're being cooperative! It means working together nicely.
👶 For kids: When you share and help others, you are being cooperative!
More Examples
The teacher appreciated the students' cooperative spirit during the group project.
We need a more cooperative attitude to solve this problem.
How It's Used
"The team had a cooperative approach, leading to a successful project outcome."
"She was praised for her cooperative attitude in the classroom."
A business or organization owned and run jointly by its members, for the benefit of its members.
koʊˈɑːpərətɪv
An organization owned and run jointly by its members.
The farmers established a cooperative to sell their goods.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of neighbors who all need groceries. Instead of going to separate stores, they team up and start their own store together! They share the work and the profits. That store is a cooperative.
👶 For kids: A group of people who share something and work together to get what they need.
More Examples
Many credit unions are structured as cooperatives.
She is a member of a food cooperative that provides organic products.
How It's Used
"The farmers formed a cooperative to market their produce collectively."
"A housing cooperative provides affordable housing for its members."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Cooperate with
To work together with a person or group.
"We must cooperate with the local authorities."
Cooperative effort
An undertaking or project that involves people working together.
"The project was a cooperative effort between several organizations."
From Late Latin cooperatīvus, from cooperārī ('to work together'). The term gained prominence in the 19th century with the rise of cooperative movements focused on shared ownership and democratic control.
The term 'cooperative' gained significant traction in the 19th century, reflecting the rise of social movements advocating for shared ownership and democratic principles in business.
Memory tip
Think of a CO-op (cooperative store) where people work together.