Administrate vs. Administer — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 25, 2024
"Administrate" implies managing or supervising, while "administer" often involves implementing policies or providing care.
Difference Between Administrate and Administer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Administrate" is generally used in the context of managing, governing, or supervising systems, organizations, or institutions, implying a higher-level, often bureaucratic, role. On the other hand, "administer" is more commonly associated with the execution or application of policies, care, or medicine, suggesting a more hands-on or direct involvement.
While "administrate" conveys a sense of overseeing or managing operations or administrative tasks, "administer" encompasses a wider range of activities including providing services, managing treatments, or executing legal duties. For example, a professional might administrate a school but administer a test.
The use of "administer" is more prevalent in everyday language and professional settings, covering a broader spectrum of activities from medical care to legal and organizational tasks. "Administrate," although correct, is less commonly used and often replaced by "administer" or "manage" in most contexts.
Both terms stem from the same Latin root "administrare," but their usage has evolved to reflect slightly different aspects of management and execution. While you might administrate a department, reflecting a leadership role, you would administer specific policies within that department, indicating direct involvement in their implementation.
Despite these nuances, "administer" and "administrate" are sometimes used interchangeably in casual contexts. However, understanding the subtle distinctions can enhance clarity and precision in communication, especially in professional or formal writing.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To manage or supervise
To execute, provide, or apply
Context
Higher-level management, oversight
Direct involvement, implementation
Common Uses
Governing institutions, bureaucratic roles
Providing care, executing policies, legal duties
Connotation
Implying a leadership or executive role
Hands-on involvement, direct application
Prevalence
Less common, more formal
More common, widely used across contexts
Compare with Definitions
Administrate
Involves overseeing and governing.
She was hired to administrate the new educational program.
Administer
Focuses on executing or applying.
The nurse was trained to administer vaccinations efficiently.
Administrate
Commonly used in the context of institutions and organizations.
The team was formed to administrate company-wide policies.
Administer
Used across a variety of contexts, including medical, legal, and organizational.
The attorney was appointed to administer the estate.
Administrate
May imply involvement in bureaucratic processes.
Part of her job was to administrate the grant funding process.
Administer
Involves direct, hands-on involvement.
He was responsible for administering the annual performance reviews.
Administrate
Often implies a higher or executive level of management.
His role was to administrate the entire department's operations.
Administer
Widely used and understood in multiple settings.
Part of her role was to administer surveys to gather feedback.
Administrate
More formal and less frequently used than "administer."
The official's duty was to administrate the regulations effectively.
Administer
Often used in contexts involving care or treatment.
The program was designed to administer aid to those in need.
Administrate
Less common term for administer (sense 1)
The cost of administrating VAT
The person administrating the database system has left the company
Administer
To have charge of; manage.
Administrate
To administer.
Administer
To give or apply in a formal way
Administer the last rites.
Administrate
To administer
Administer
To apply as a remedy
Administer a sedative.
Administrate
(computing) the act or function of providing maintenance and general housekeeping for computer systems, networks, peripheral equipment, etc.
The job is to administrate the network.
Administer
To direct the taking of (an oath).
Administrate
To administer.
Administer
To mete out; dispense
Administer justice.
Administrate
Work in an administrative capacity; supervise;
Administer a program
Administer
To manage (a trust or estate) under a will or official appointment.
Administer
To impose, offer, or tender (an oath, for example).
Administer
To manage as an administrator.
Administer
To minister
Administering to their every whim.
Administer
(transitive) To apportion out, distribute.
Administer
(transitive) To manage or supervise the conduct, performance or execution of; to govern or regulate the parameters for the conduct, performance or execution of; to work in an administrative capacity.
Administer
(intransitive) To minister (to).
Administering to the sick
Administer
(legal) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.
Administer
To give, as an oath.
Administer
(transitive) (medicine) To give (a drug, to a patient), be it orally or by any other means.
Administer
(transitive) (medicine) To cause (a patient, human or animal) to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.
We administered the medicine to our dog by mixing it in his food.
Administer
To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the state.
For forms of government let fools contest:Whate'er is best administered is best.
Administer
To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the sacrament.
[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs.
Justice was administered with an exactness and purity not before known.
Administer
To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc.
A noxious drug had been administered to him.
Administer
To tender, as an oath.
Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer.
Administer
To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.
Administer
To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister.
A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty of the place.
Administer
To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.
Administer
Administrator.
Administer
Work in an administrative capacity; supervise;
Administer a program
Administer
Administer ritually; of church sacraments
Administer
Administer or bestow, as in small portions;
Administer critical remarks to everyone present
Dole out some money
Shell out pocket money for the children
Deal a blow to someone
Administer
Give or apply (medications)
Common Curiosities
Which term is more appropriate for a leadership role in an organization?
"Administrate" is more appropriate when referring to a leadership or executive role with a focus on management and oversight.
Can "administer" be used in a medical context?
Yes, "administer" is commonly used in medical contexts, such as administering drugs or treatments.
Which term is more appropriate for someone overseeing the implementation of laws?
"Administer" is more appropriate for the direct implementation of laws and regulations.
Is "administrate" commonly used in UK English?
"Administrate" is used in UK English, but like in other varieties of English, it's less common than "administer" and often appears in more formal or bureaucratic contexts.
Is it correct to say "administer a business"?
While it's not incorrect, "manage" or "run" a business might be more commonly used. "Administer" can be used for specific tasks within the business, such as administering policies.
Can "administer" be used in an educational context?
Yes, "administer" is suitable for educational contexts, like administering exams or educational programs.
What term should I use when referring to managing a government agency?
"Administrate" is often preferred for high-level oversight, while "administer" can be used for specific governmental functions or services.
How do "administrate" and "administer" relate to project management?
In project management, "administer" is commonly used for direct management tasks, such as administering resources or schedules. "Administrate" might be used for higher-level oversight but is less common.
Can "administrate" and "administer" be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, their subtle differences in connotation make it preferable to use them in their specific contexts for clarity.
Is "administrate" a more formal term than "administer"?
Yes, "administrate" is generally considered more formal and is less commonly used in everyday language.
Can "administer" imply a level of care or support?
Yes, "administer" can imply providing care or support, especially in contexts like healthcare, where administering treatment involves both technical application and patient care.
In a legal document, is it preferable to use "administrate" or "administer"?
"Administer" is often preferred in legal documents for clarity and precision, especially when referring to the execution of duties, such as administering an estate.
How does the usage of "administrate" and "administer" differ in non-profit organizations?
In non-profits, "administer" is commonly used for day-to-day management and service delivery, while "administrate" might be used for higher-level organizational management, though less frequently.
Is "administrate" a newer term than "administer"?
No, both terms have been in use for a long time, but "administer" has remained more widely used and applicable across various contexts.
Would a computer system administrator be more likely to administrate or administer?
A system administrator would typically "administer" systems, dealing with hands-on management and implementation of system functionalities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
