control

The word “control” means to direct or influence the behavior of someone or something. In plain terms, to have power over something, or the means (like a lever or button) used to direct it.

“Control” is pronounced kuhn-TROHL (/kənˈtɹoʊl/ in IPA).

Here is “control” used in a sentence: “The pilot struggled to control the aircraft in the storm.”

The opposite of “control” — its antonyms — are defy, rebel, resist, obey and submit.

Depending on how it is used, “control” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “control” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French contrerole, from Medieval Latin contrarotulus ("a counter-roll used to check accounts"), from Latin contra ("against") plus rotulus ("a roll").

“Control” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Control” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to direct or influence the behavior of someone or something.

Control means directing something so it does what you want, with real authority over the outcome. Influence is softer — you affect behaviour or decisions without fully determining them. You can influence a friend's choice, but you control a machine. Control implies power and certainty; influence implies persuasion and only partial effect.

To control something is to have direct power over how it behaves, often moment to moment. To manage is broader — to organise, oversee, and handle something responsibly over time. A manager coordinates people and resources; controlling them would mean dictating every move. Management allows autonomy, whereas tight control removes it.

Yes. Control is often positive — self-control, controlling a vehicle, or controlling costs all describe useful mastery. It turns negative when applied to people who should be free to choose, where it shades into domination. Whether control is good or bad depends entirely on what is being controlled and how willingly.

Common forms include self-control (governing your own impulses), physical control (operating or steering something), and social control (directing others through rules or authority). Business adds quality control and cost control; technology adds remote control. Each shares the same core idea: directing behaviour, your own or something else's, toward a chosen outcome.