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collect
/kəˈlɛkt/
gather things together
She collects rare stamps from different countries.
She gathers rare stamps from various countries as a hobby.
general
To bring things together from different places
The children collect fallen leaves for their art project.
The children gather fallen leaves to use in their art project.
He collects data for his research paper.
He gathers information to include in his research paper.
Often implies a purposeful or habitual action, such as hobbies or professional tasks.
general
To come together in a group
A crowd collected in front of the theater.
A group of people gathered in front of the theater.
Can describe people or things naturally coming together.
Finance
Finance
To receive payment for something
The company collects fees for its services.
The company receives payment for the services it provides.
Common in financial contexts, such as collecting taxes or fees.
general
To pick up or stop for someone
I’ll collect you at 7 PM.
I’ll pick you up at 7 PM.
Often used when going to get someone or something.
Collocations
collect datagather informationcollect taxesreceive payment for government revenuecollect stampsgather postage stamps as a hobby
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
Pay attention to common pairings like 'collect data,' 'collect taxes,' or 'collect stamps' to sound more natural in English.
Gold Rule
When to Use 'Collect'
Use 'collect' when there is a deliberate effort to gather items or information, especially for a specific purpose.
Word Origin
From Latin *colligere* (to gather), combining *com-* (together) and *legere* (to gather, choose). Entered English in the 15th century.
Usage Notes
The verb 'collect' often implies a sense of purpose or organization, whether for hobbies, work, or natural processes. It can also describe the act of receiving money or items owed.
Word Breakdown
col-
together
prefix-lect
to gather or choose
rootEnglish Dictionary