navigate
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to plan and direct the route of a ship, aircraft, or car.
to plan, control, and record the position and course of a vehicle or vessel. Often used transitively with the vehicle or the route as the object.
Simple“Early sailors used the stars to navigate their ships across the ocean.”
In context“The pilot had to navigate the aircraft through a narrow mountain pass during the heavy storm, relying entirely on his instruments.”
UsageCan be used transitively (navigate the ship) or intransitively (he is navigating).
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to move around a website or computer screen to find what you need.
to move between web pages, menus, or digital interfaces using hyperlinks or interface controls.
Simple“The website is very easy to navigate because the menu is clear.”
In context“Users often find it difficult to navigate complex databases without a robust search function or a clear hierarchical structure.”
UsageOften used with 'through' or 'around'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to find a way to deal with a difficult or complicated situation.
to find a way through a complex or difficult process or social situation. Figurative use.
Simple“She helped her friend navigate the difficult process of applying for a visa.”
In context“The CEO had to carefully navigate the political tensions between the two merging companies to ensure a smooth transition.”
UsageCommonly used with abstract nouns like 'process', 'system', or 'relationship'.
“Foote added young islanders were "trying to navigate" the challenges of social media and the world they are growing up in.”
“Women of previous generations have also navigated that balance – they weren’t all sold on the notion of “burying the body” – but never so many, all at once.”
First attested in 1588; borrowed from Latin nāvigātus, the perfect passive participle of nāvigō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from nāvis (“ship”) + -igō, from Proto-Indo-European *néh₂us (“boat”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.