locate
luh-KAYT
Locate (verb) means to find the exact position of something. Example: “I cannot locate my keys anywhere in the house.”
verb
1
To find the exact position of something.
"I cannot locate my keys anywhere in the house."
"It took rescuers hours to locate the missing hikers."
"Can you locate the nearest gas station on the map?"
2
To place or situate something in a particular spot.
"The council plans to locate the new library close to the railway station."
"Where would you locate the sofa in such a small room?"
"The company decided to locate its new factory near the port."
How to use locate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo find where something is, or to set something up in a particular place.
Common pairings
locate a source
be located in
locate the problem
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- locates
- Past tense
- located
Fill the gap
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I cannot _____ my keys anywhere in the house.
Etymology
From Latin locātus, "placed", from locō, "to place", from locus, "place".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for locate
See all rhymes for locate →Frequently asked questions
What does “locate” mean?
The word “locate” means to find the exact position of something. In plain terms, to find where something is, or to set something up in a particular place.
How do you pronounce “locate”?
“Locate” is pronounced luh-KAYT (/ˈloʊˌkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “locate” in a sentence?
Here is “locate” used in a sentence: “It took rescuers hours to locate the missing hikers.”
What part of speech is “locate”?
“Locate” is a verb.
Where does the word “locate” come from?
The word “locate” comes from Latin. From Latin locātus, "placed", from locō, "to place", from locus, "place".
Is “locate” a common word?
“Locate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “locate” have?
“Locate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to find the exact position of something.
What is the difference between locate and find?
Both mean to discover where something is, but 'locate' is more formal and stresses pinpointing the exact position, usually through a deliberate search. 'Find' is the more general, everyday word and can also mean to come across something by chance.
What is the difference between locate and situate?
In the sense of placing something, both mean to put it in a particular spot. 'Situate' is more formal and often appears in the passive, as in 'the house is situated on a hill', while 'locate' works for both active searching and placement.
When should you use 'locate' instead of 'place'?
Use 'locate' when the emphasis is on choosing a specific position for something, especially a building or facility, as in 'they located the factory near the river'. 'Place' is simpler and more general for putting any object somewhere.
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