collect
verb/kəˈlekt/
/kəˈlekt/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they collect | /kəˈlekt/ /kəˈlekt/ |
| he / she / it collects | /kəˈlekts/ /kəˈlekts/ |
| past simple collected | /kəˈlektɪd/ /kəˈlektɪd/ |
| past participle collected | /kəˈlektɪd/ /kəˈlektɪd/ |
| -ing form collecting | /kəˈlektɪŋ/ /kəˈlektɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] to bring things together from different people or places synonym gather
- collect something to collect data/evidence/information
- We're collecting signatures for a petition.
- The purpose of his trip was to collect material for a book.
- collect something from somebody/something Samples were collected from over 200 patients.
- an analysis of 400 specimens collected from 12 localities
- We've been collecting data from various sources.
- [transitive] collect something to buy or find things of a particular type and keep them as a hobby
- to collect stamps/postcards/coins
- She started to collect art seriously soon after the turn of the century.
- He began collecting antiquities in 1785.
- [intransitive, transitive] to gradually increase in amount in a place; to gradually obtain more and more of something in a place synonym accumulate
- In spite of their efforts a large pool of liquid continued to collect.
- collect + adv./prep. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room.
- Water had collected on the flat roof.
- collect something We seem to have collected an enormous number of boxes (= without intending to).
- (figurative) It’s amazing how she collects friends.
Synonyms collectcollectgather ▪ accumulate ▪ amassThese words all mean to get more of something over a period of time, or to increase in quantity over a period of time.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.
- I waited while he gathered up his papers.
- Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
- I seem to have accumulated a lot of books.
- Debts began to accumulate.
- 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)
- [transitive] to go somewhere in order to take somebody/something away
- collect something What day do they collect the rubbish/garbage?
- The package is waiting to be collected.
- collect something from… On arrival, collect your keys from reception.
- (British English) collect somebody Someone will be at the airport to collect you.
- (British English) collect somebody from… She's gone to collect her son from school.
Extra Examples- Your package is ready to be collected.
- What time do you have to collect the children from school?
- We were invited to London to collect our prize.
- They usually collect the rubbish/garbage on a Thursday.
- [intransitive, transitive] to ask people to give you money for a particular purpose
- I've been out collecting, knocking on peoples doors and asking them for money.
- collect for something We're collecting for local charities.
- collect something Volunteers have been going door to door, collecting money.
- collect something for something We collected over £300 for the appeal.
- [transitive] collect something to obtain the money, etc. that somebody owes, for example by going to their house to get it
- to collect rent/debts/tax
- [transitive, intransitive] collect (something) to receive something; to win something
- She collected £25 000 in compensation.
- to collect a prize/a medal
- She collected $50 000 on her husband’s life insurance policies.
- He went to the casino most nights, but usually failed to collect.
- [intransitive] to come together in one place to form a larger group synonym gather
- A crowd began to collect in front of the embassy.
bring together
as hobby
increase in amount
take away
money
receive/win
of people
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French collecter or medieval Latin collectare, from Latin collect- ‘gathered together’, from the verb colligere, from col- ‘together’ + legere ‘choose or collect’.
Idioms
See collect in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee collect in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishcollect/gather dust
- to not be used for a long time
- That guitar's been sitting there gathering dust for years now.
- Play your guitar that's gathering dust, or pull out the old tennis racket for a match.
- You may already have an old laptop that is collecting dust but otherwise usable.
collect yourself/your thoughts
- to try to control your emotions and become calm
- I'm fine—I just need a minute to collect myself.
- to prepare yourself mentally for something
- She paused to collect her thoughts before entering the interview room.
Check pronunciation:
collect