co-op, co-operate, co-operative

Co-operate and co-operative are the preferred Canadian spellings. However, the words are increasingly seen without a hyphen.

One co-operates with a person or an organization, while one co-operates in performing an action.

• The residents of Walkerton co-operated with the public health authorities during the water crisis.
• The principal thanked the students for co-operating in the school cleanup.

Co-op is the short form for co-operative.

• Co-op (or Co-operative) housing is very popular in Sydney.
• Ian shops at a food co-op where he earns a membership dividend.