# coordinate

/koʊˈɔɹdəˌneɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coordinate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to organize people or tasks

verb · CEFR B2

to organize different people or groups so that they work together effectively.

For teachers: to bring the different elements of a complex activity or organization into a harmonious or efficient relationship.

- We need to coordinate our efforts to finish the project on time.
- The disaster relief agency had to coordinate multiple volunteer groups to ensure that aid reached the remote villages before the storm arrived.

Usage: Often used as a transitive verb requiring a direct object, such as a project or a team.

### 2. to match things

verb · CEFR B2

to choose things like clothes or furniture that look good together.

For teachers: to select or arrange items, particularly clothing or decor, so that they complement one another aesthetically.

- She tried to coordinate her tie with the color of her shirt.
- The interior designer chose to coordinate the curtains with the upholstery to create a unified atmosphere in the living room.

### 3. map or math position

noun · CEFR B2

a set of numbers or letters used to find the exact position of a point on a map or graph.

For teachers: each of a group of numbers used to indicate the position of a point, line, or plane relative to a fixed reference system.

- The pilot entered the coordinates into the plane's navigation system.
- By providing the exact GPS coordinates, the hikers allowed the rescue team to locate their position despite the heavy fog.

Usage: Usually used in the plural when referring to a specific location.

### 4. matching clothes

noun · CEFR C1 · Humorous

clothes that are designed to be worn together as a matching set.

For teachers: items of clothing designed to be worn together as a matching or complementary set.

- She bought a new set of coordinates for the summer wedding.
- He appeared in a striking set of linen coordinates, looking perhaps a bit too perfectly matched for a casual garden party.

Teaching tip: In modern fashion contexts, this is often used slightly humorously to describe a very carefully planned outfit.

### 5. equal in rank

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

having the same importance or rank as something else.

For teachers: equal in rank, quality, or significance; often used in linguistics to describe clauses of equal status.

- In the sentence 'I ran and he walked', the two parts are coordinate clauses.
- The treaty established coordinate powers for both branches of the new government to prevent one from dominating the other.

Usage: Commonly used in formal writing or technical linguistic analysis.

## Examples

- Please send me the coordinates for the restaurant.
- The rescue team used the GPS coordinates to locate the hikers who were lost in the dense forest.
- By plotting the celestial coordinates on a star chart, the astronomer was able to predict exactly where the comet would appear on the horizon at midnight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.