French word

manœuvrer

Pronunciation

IPA/manœvʁe/

Meaning

  • verboperate

Example

Sais-tu manœuvrer cette machine?

Can you operate this machine?

Illustration for manœuvrer (operate)

More examples

Il faut manœuvrer le bateau doucement dans le port.

It is necessary to maneuver the boat gently in the harbor.

Core concept

Careful hands guiding a machine, vehicle, or object into the intended position.

Common phrases

  • manœuvrer une machine

    operate a machine

  • manœuvrer un véhicule

    operate a vehicle

  • manœuvrer un bateau

    maneuver a boat

Similar words

manipuler: Handling an object with the hands or tools to change its position or shape.
conduire: Driving a car or motorcycle to a destination.
régler: Adjusting knobs or settings to bring a machine into the desired state.
piloter: Controlling a vehicle or aircraft by directing its course and movement.

Definition in French

Faire fonctionner ou déplacer un appareil, un véhicule ou un objet en le manipulant avec précision.

Word origin

Manœuvrer is formed from French manœuvre, which comes through Old French manovre from Latin manu operari, meaning "to work by hand".

Usage tips

  • Manœuvrer takes a direct object in phrases such as "manœuvrer une machine" without a preposition.

Other meanings

  • handleverb
  • maneuververb

Opposites

Related words

  • manœuvremaneuvernoun
  • manœuvrablemaneuverableadjective

Word lists with this word