cooperates

Cooperates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb cooperate. It denotes the act of working together with others to achieve a shared objective, or of complying with another’s requests, rules, or expectations. Cooperating can involve sharing information, coordinating actions, or providing assistance.

Etymology and variants: The word derives from Latin cooperare, from co- meaning “together” and operare meaning “to work.” In British English, the form co-operate is common, while American usage typically favors cooperate.

Usage and contexts: In everyday life, people may cooperate to complete a project or resolve a problem. In international relations, states cooperate on security, trade, or environmental issues. In business, departments cooperate to implement a strategy or to integrate processes. In law enforcement or diplomacy, agencies cooperate with investigators or foreign counterparts. In biology and social sciences, cooperation describes behaviors where individuals or groups work jointly, sometimes for mutual benefit, beyond simple competition.

Related terms and nuances: Cooperate is often contrasted with collaborate; cooperate can imply working with others while maintaining a level of independence, whereas collaborate can suggest a closer, more integrated joint effort. The noun form is cooperation, and related concepts include cooperative behavior, collaboration, and coordinated action. In game theory, cooperation versus self-interest is analyzed in models like the prisoner's dilemma.

See also: cooperation, cooperative, collaboration, coordination, synchronized action.