Word
execute
Meanings
to carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, task, or decision)
to perform a movement, technique, or action with skill and precision
to kill someone as an official punishment
Definition
To execute something is to carry out a plan, order, or task, usually in a careful and effective way.
To execute means to put a decision, plan, or set of instructions into action. It often suggests doing something with precision and control rather than simply starting it. In professional contexts, it can also mean to perform a skill or procedure exactly as intended.
Examples
- The operations team managed to execute the rollout overnight without disrupting service.
- I can execute the presentation, but I need your feedback on the opening first.
- She struggled to execute the choreography cleanly at full speed, so she slowed it down to refine each step.
- They failed to execute the contingency plan because the communication channels were never tested under pressure.
Common mistake
Learners often overuse execute as a synonym for do in casual contexts; it sounds more formal and is usually used for plans, procedures, or precise actions.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.