manage

UK: /ˈmænɪdʒ/ US: /ˈmænɪdʒ/ ,(man′ij)

Inflections of 'manage' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

manages

v 3rd person singular

managing

v pres p

managed

v past

managed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•age /ˈmænɪdʒ/   v., -aged, -ag•ing. 

1. to succeed in dealing with;
   contrive: [~ + to + verb]
   They managed to see the governor.
   [~ + object]
   I don't know how, but he managed it.
2. [~ + object]
   • to take charge of;
     supervise;
     control:
     to manage a business.
   • Show Business to handle the career or functioning of:
     to manage a performer.
3. to function;
   get along:
   [no object] We managed without a car during our stay in the city.

man•age•a•ble, adj. 

: Those children are old enough to be easily manageable.

See -man-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•age  (man′ij), v., -aged, -ag•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to bring about or succeed in accomplishing, sometimes despite difficulty or hardship:
   She managed to see the governor. How does she manage it on such a small income?
2. to take charge or care of:
   to manage my investments.
3. to dominate or influence (a person) by tact, flattery, or artifice:
   He manages the child with exemplary skill.
4. to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use:
   She managed the boat efficiently.
5. to wield (a weapon, tool, etc.).
6. Sport to handle or train (a horse) in the exercises of the manège.
7. [Archaic.] to use sparingly or with judgment, as health or money;
   husband.

v.i. 

8. to conduct business, commercial affairs, etc.;
   be in charge:
   Who will manage while the boss is away?
9. to continue to function, progress, or succeed, usually despite hardship or difficulty;
   get along:
   How will he manage with his wife gone? It was a rough time, but we managed.

• Latin manus hand
• Italian maneggiare to handle, train (horses), derivative of mano
• earlier manege 1555–65

Synonyms

• 1. arrange, contrive.
• 4. guide, conduct, regulate, engineer. See rule. 
• 5. handle, manipulate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

manage / ˈmænɪdʒ/ verb (mainly tr)

1. (also intr) to be in charge (of); administer: to manage one's affairs, to manage a shop
2. to succeed in being able (to do something) despite obstacles; contrive
3. to have room, time, etc, for: can you manage dinner tomorrow?
4. to exercise control or domination over, often in a tactful or guileful manner
5. (intransitive) to contrive to carry on despite difficulties, esp financial ones
6. to wield or handle (a weapon)

noun

1. an archaic word for manège

Etymology: 16th Century: from Italian maneggiare to control, train (esp horses), ultimately from Latin manus hand