ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cooperative

adj. · n.
US //koʊˈɑpɝˌeɪtɪv// UK //kəʊˈɒpəɹətˌɪv// co·op·er·a·tive
  1. 1 helpful and willing (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    willing to help or work with others to achieve a goal.

    willing to assist or work jointly with others toward a common purpose.

    Example

    The witness was very cooperative and answered all the police officer's questions.

    Example

    The suspect remained surprisingly cooperative throughout the interrogation, providing detailed accounts that corroborated the physical evidence found at the scene.
  2. 2 done together (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    involving two or more people or groups working together.

    characterised by joint effort or mutual collaboration between parties.

    Example

    The two schools started a cooperative project to improve the local park.

    Example

    The successful launch was the result of a cooperative effort between international space agencies and private engineering firms.
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  1. 3 member-owned business (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a business or organisation owned and run by the people who work there or use its services.

    an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet common economic or social needs through a jointly-owned enterprise.

    Example

    We buy our vegetables from a local farming cooperative that supports small growers.

    Example

    The housing cooperative allows residents to have a direct say in how their building is managed and maintained.

    Usage

    Often shortened to 'co-op' in everyday speech.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'cooperative' is the formal name, students will more frequently encounter the abbreviation 'co-op' in retail or housing contexts.
Origin

From co- + operative.

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