- 1[intransitive, transitive] to come together, or bring people together, in one place to form a group A crowd soon gathered. + adv./prep. His supporters gathered in the hotel ballroom. Can you all gather around? I've got something to tell you. The whole family gathered together at Ray's home. be gathered + adv./prep. They were all gathered around the TV. A large crowd was gathered outside the studio. The kids were gathered together in one room.
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- 2[transitive] to bring things together that have been spread around gather something People slowly gathered their belongings and left the hall. gather something together/up I waited while he gathered up his papers. Thesauruscollect
- gather
- accumulate
- amass
- collect to bring things or information together from different people or places; to gradually increase in amount in a place:We've been collecting data from various sources. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room. People sometimes collect things of a particular type as a hobby:to collect stamps
- gather to bring things together that have been spread around; to collect information from different sources:I waited while he gathered up his papers. Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
- Both collect and gather can be used in the same way to talk about bringing together data, information, or evidence. When talking about things, gather is used with words like things, belongings, or papers when the things are spread around within a short distance. Collect is used for getting examples of something from different people or places that are physically separated.
- accumulate (somewhat formal) to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time; to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time :I seem to have accumulated a lot of books. Debts began to accumulate.
- amass (somewhat formal) to collect something in large quantities, especially money, debts, or information:He amassed a fortune from silver mining.
- to collect/gather/accumulate/amass data/evidence/information
- to accumulate/amass a fortune/debts
- dirt/dust/debris collects/accumulates
- to gradually/slowly collect/gather/accumulate (something)
collect - 3[transitive] gather something to collect information from different sources Detectives have spent months gathering evidence. Thesauruscollect
- gather
- accumulate
- amass
- collect to bring things or information together from different people or places; to gradually increase in amount in a place:We've been collecting data from various sources. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room. People sometimes collect things of a particular type as a hobby:to collect stamps
- gather to bring things together that have been spread around; to collect information from different sources:I waited while he gathered up his papers. Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
- Both collect and gather can be used in the same way to talk about bringing together data, information, or evidence. When talking about things, gather is used with words like things, belongings, or papers when the things are spread around within a short distance. Collect is used for getting examples of something from different people or places that are physically separated.
- accumulate (somewhat formal) to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time; to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time :I seem to have accumulated a lot of books. Debts began to accumulate.
- amass (somewhat formal) to collect something in large quantities, especially money, debts, or information:He amassed a fortune from silver mining.
- to collect/gather/accumulate/amass data/evidence/information
- to accumulate/amass a fortune/debts
- dirt/dust/debris collects/accumulates
- to gradually/slowly collect/gather/accumulate (something)
- 4[transitive] gather something to collect plants, fruit, etc. from a wide area to gather wild flowers crops/harvest
- 5[transitive] gather something (in) to pick or cut and collect crops to be stored It was late August and the harvest had been safely gathered in. believe/understand
- 6[transitive, intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to believe or understand that something is true because of information or evidence you have gather (that)… I gather (that) you wanted to see me. I gather from your letter that you're not enjoying your job. gather (something) “There's been a delay.” “I gathered that.” “She won't be coming.” “So I gather.” You're self-employed, I gather. As far as I can gather, he got involved in a fight. From what I can gather, there's been some kind of problem. increase
- 7[transitive] gather something to increase in speed, force, etc. The truck gathered speed. During the 1980s the green movement gathered momentum. Thousands of these machines are gathering dust (= not being used) in stockrooms.
- 8[intransitive] to gradually increase in number or amount The storm clouds were gathering. the gathering gloom of a winter's afternoon clothing
- 9[transitive] to pull a piece of clothing tighter to your body gather something around you/something He gathered his cloak around him. gather something up She gathered up her skirts and ran.
- 10[transitive] gather something (in) to pull parts of a piece of clothing together in folds and sew them in place She wore a skirt gathered (in) at the waist. hold someone
- 11[transitive] gather somebody + adv./prep. to pull someone toward you and put your arms around them She gathered the child in her arms and held him close. He gathered her to him. prepare yourself
- 12[transitive] gather something/yourself to prepare yourself to do something that requires effort I sat down for a minute to gather my strength. She was still trying to gather her thoughts when the door opened. He paused to gather his breath. Idioms
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NAmE//ˈɡæðər//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they gather he / she / it gathers
past simple gathered
-ing form gathering
a person who moves from place to place, job to job, etc. does not have a lot of money, possessions, or friends but is free from responsibilities
Check pronunciation: gather