command
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.an order given by a person in authority.
n.an authoritative directive or order that must be obeyed.
Simple“The soldiers waited for the general's command before they began to move.”
In context“The officer issued a sharp command to halt, and the entire column stopped instantly in perfect formation.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the power to control a group of people, especially in the military.
n.the right or authority to order, control, or lead a specific group or operation.
Simple“She took command of the project after the previous manager left.”
In context“After years of distinguished service, he was finally given command of the regional naval fleet.”
SynonymsAntonymssubordination - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.your ability to use something well, like a language or a machine.
n.the ability to use or control something effectively; a high level of proficiency or mastery.
Simple“He has an excellent command of the French language.”
In context“Her impressive command of complex economic theory allowed her to simplify the data for the board of directors.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
n.an instruction you give to a computer to make it do a specific task.
n.a specific instruction or signal given to a computer program or operating system to perform a task.
Simple“Type the command into the box and press enter to start the search.”
In context“The system failed to execute the command because the user lacked the necessary administrative permissions.”
Synonyms - 05 B1 Intermediate
v.to tell someone with authority that they must do something.
v.to direct with authority; to give an order that requires obedience.
Simple“The king commanded his servants to prepare a great feast.”
In context“The judge commanded the witness to answer the question directly without further hesitation.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
v.to get something because you are important or respected.
v.to deserve and get something, such as respect or attention, because of your qualities or position.
Simple“She is the kind of leader who naturally commands respect from everyone.”
In context“The CEO's presence in the room was enough to command the absolute attention of every executive present.”
command vs control — Control is the ongoing power to manage or regulate a system, while command is the specific authority to give orders or direct others.
“There, Max discovers his own power to command the wild things, and a “wild rumpus,” or a party with his new friends, begins.”
“Rybakina, the world number two, was broken twice in an opening set that also saw Swiatek save two break points to take command of the match.”
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂-der. Proto-Italic *manus Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tder. Proto-Italic *-ðō Proto-Italic *manuðō Latin mandō Latin commendō ▲ Latin mandōinflu. Latin commandāre Old French comanderbor. Middle English comaunden English command From Middle English commanden, commaunden, comaunden, comanden, from Old French comander, from Late Latin commandāre, from Latin commendāre. Ultimately from Latin com- + mandō (whence ultimately also commend (a doublet), mandate, and recommend), from manus + -dō. Compare typologically Russian поручи́ть (poručítʹ), поруче́ние (poručénije), руководи́ть (rukovodítʹ), руководи́тель (rukovodítelʹ) related to рука́ (ruká).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.