Verb B1 — Intermediate /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/

Manage — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

To succeed or to be in charge — a verb with two very different but equally important meanings.

Quick Definition

To manage means to succeed in doing something difficult, or to be responsible for organising and controlling something.

What Does Manage Mean?

The word manage is one of the most frequently used words in the English language. It appears in everyday conversation, academic writing, news media, and literature at B1 — Intermediate level. Learners who master manage alongside its common collocations and word family will find their fluency improving rapidly.

Understanding exactly when and how to use manage requires attention to context. Many ESL learners know the basic meaning but struggle with the subtle differences between manage and its nearest synonyms. Paying attention to how native speakers use the word in real sentences — rather than just memorising an isolated definition — is the key to internalising it correctly.

The word family built around manage extends its usefulness considerably. Related adjectives, adverbs, and nouns built on the same root allow you to express nuanced ideas with greater precision. When you learn manage, try to also learn two or three related forms so that you can use the concept flexibly across different grammatical contexts.

Example Sentences

SentenceUsage note
She needed to manage in this situation.basic use
It is manage to understand the context.adjective/verb context
The teacher asked students to manage the exercise.educational context

Synonyms

handlecontrolrunoverseecope withsucceed indeal with

Antonyms

failmismanagestrugglelose control of

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

Common mistake: misusing manage without correct grammar pattern.

Correct: always study manage in full sentence context to see how it combines with other words.

Related Vocabulary

All Common Words → Grammar Glossary Vocabulary Hub Flash Cards

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “manage”

What does manage mean?
Manage means: To succeed in doing something difficult; to be in charge of something. It is commonly used at B1 — Intermediate level in English and appears frequently in both spoken and written English.
What part of speech is manage?
Manage is a verb. It describes an action or state. Understanding the part of speech helps you use manage in grammatically correct sentences.
How do you use manage in a sentence?
Here are three examples: 1) 'This is a manage situation.' 2) 'We need to manage carefully.' 3) 'The manage of this process is important.' The word manage works best when you study it in full context rather than in isolation.
What is the CEFR level for manage?
The word manage is at B1 — Intermediate on the CEFR scale. This means it is an important intermediate-level word that appears regularly in B1-B2 exam vocabulary lists.
What are synonyms for manage?
Common synonyms include words that share a similar meaning to manage. When choosing a synonym, always consider the context — slight differences in meaning or register can change how natural a sentence sounds. Practise with LexFizz Flash Cards to learn synonyms efficiently.
What is the opposite of manage?
The opposite (antonym) of manage helps you understand the full range of meaning. Knowing antonyms alongside the main word doubles your vocabulary in one go. For example, learning 'fast' and 'slow' together makes both words stick better in memory.
Is manage formal or informal?
The word manage is versatile and works in both formal and informal contexts at B1 — Intermediate level. In academic writing, you may find more specific synonyms used in its place, but manage itself is entirely appropriate in essays, reports, emails, and conversations.
How do I remember the meaning of manage?
Try associating manage with a vivid image or a memorable sentence. Writing three example sentences with manage and saying them aloud is one of the most effective memorisation strategies. LexFizz's Flash Cards exercise uses spaced repetition to help vocabulary like manage transfer to long-term memory.
What are common collocations with manage?
Collocations are words that naturally appear together. Learning manage as part of a collocation phrase rather than in isolation makes it much easier to use correctly. Study real-world examples in articles, stories, and exercises to build a natural sense for which words combine with manage.
How can I practise using manage on LexFizz?
LexFizz's Flash Cards, Complete the Sentence, and Quiz exercises all feature high-frequency vocabulary including manage. Try the Hangman exercise for a fun way to revise spelling, and use the Word Search to recognise manage quickly in context. Regular short practice sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.