C1 noun Neutral

administrator

/ədˈmɪnɪstreɪtər/

A person responsible for carrying out the administration of a business or organization, focusing on management, organization, and the implementation of policies. In academic or government settings, it refers to an official who manages operations rather than performing the primary technical or teaching work.

Examples

3 of 5
1

If you lose your password, you will need to contact the system administrator to regain access.

If you lose your password, you will need to contact the system administrator to regain access.

2

The hospital administrator is responsible for ensuring that the facility complies with all federal health regulations.

The hospital administrator is responsible for ensuring that the facility complies with all federal health regulations.

3

Our boss is more of a hands-off administrator; he lets us handle the creative side while he deals with the paperwork.

Our boss is more of a hands-off administrator; he lets us handle the creative side while he deals with the paperwork.

Word Family

Noun
administration
Verb
administer
Adverb
administratively
Adjective
administrative
Related
administratorship
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Memory Tip

Focus on the 'min' in 'administrator'—think of 'managing' the 'minutes' and 'minor' details that keep a major organization running.

Quick Quiz

The university ______ announced that all campus buildings would be upgraded with solar panels by next year.

Correct!

The correct answer is: administrator

Examples

1

If you lose your password, you will need to contact the system administrator to regain access.

everyday

If you lose your password, you will need to contact the system administrator to regain access.

2

The hospital administrator is responsible for ensuring that the facility complies with all federal health regulations.

formal

The hospital administrator is responsible for ensuring that the facility complies with all federal health regulations.

3

Our boss is more of a hands-off administrator; he lets us handle the creative side while he deals with the paperwork.

informal

Our boss is more of a hands-off administrator; he lets us handle the creative side while he deals with the paperwork.

4

University administrators have faced criticism for the recent hike in tuition fees across all departments.

academic

University administrators have faced criticism for the recent hike in tuition fees across all departments.

5

The database administrator optimized the server's performance to handle the increase in holiday traffic.

business

The database administrator optimized the server's performance to handle the increase in holiday traffic.

Word Family

Noun
administration
Verb
administer
Adverb
administratively
Adjective
administrative
Related
administratorship

Common Collocations

system administrator system administrator
school administrator school administrator
public administrator public administrator
database administrator database administrator
hospital administrator hospital administrator

Common Phrases

Letters of administration

Legal documents granting authority to manage a deceased person's estate.

Grant administrator

A person who manages the distribution and compliance of financial grants.

Network administrator

A specialist who maintains computer networks and connections.

Often Confused With

administrator vs Executive

An executive typically makes high-level strategic decisions, whereas an administrator often focuses on the execution of processes and day-to-day management.

administrator vs Secretary

A secretary primarily handles clerical and support tasks, while an administrator has organizational authority and manages broader operations.

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Usage Notes

The word is highly common in IT (often shortened to 'admin' or 'sysadmin') and in institutional contexts like schools or hospitals. It implies a role focused on maintaining order and following established procedures.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse the noun 'administrator' with the verb 'administrate' (a back-formation that is often considered less standard than 'administer'). They also frequently misspell it by omitting the 'i' after 'min'.

💡

Memory Tip

Focus on the 'min' in 'administrator'—think of 'managing' the 'minutes' and 'minor' details that keep a major organization running.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'administrare', which means 'to serve', 'to carry out', or 'to manage'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: can be singular or plural (administrators). Often used as a compound noun in professional titles (e.g., 'system administrator').
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Cultural Context

In American English, high-ranking officials in educational systems (like principals or deans) are almost always referred to as 'administrators'.

Quick Quiz

The university ______ announced that all campus buildings would be upgraded with solar panels by next year.

Correct!

The correct answer is: administrator

Related Words

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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