collaborative
kuh-LAB-uh-ruh-tihv
Collaborative (adj) means involving people working together rather than alone. Example: “The company encourages a collaborative approach to problem-solving.”
adj
1
Involving people working together rather than alone.
"The company encourages a collaborative approach to problem-solving."
"It was a collaborative effort between three design teams."
"Writing the report was a collaborative process, with everyone adding their own sections."
How to use collaborative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone as a joint effort, not solo.
Common pairings
collaborative project
collaborative effort
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Word forms
- Plural
- collaboratives
- Comparative
- more collaborative
- Superlative
- most collaborative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company encourages a _____ approach to problem-solving.
Etymology
Formed from collaborate plus the adjective ending -ive.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for collaborative
See all rhymes for collaborative →Frequently asked questions
What does “collaborative” mean?
The word “collaborative” means involving people working together rather than alone. In plain terms, done as a joint effort, not solo.
How do you pronounce “collaborative”?
“Collaborative” is pronounced kuh-LAB-uh-ruh-tihv (/kəˈlæb.ə.ɹə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “collaborative” in a sentence?
Here is “collaborative” used in a sentence: “The company encourages a collaborative approach to problem-solving.”
What part of speech is “collaborative”?
“Collaborative” is an adjective.
Is “collaborative” a common word?
“Collaborative” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between collaborative and cooperative?
Collaborative describes people actively working together on a shared task or project, often implying joint creative or intellectual effort, while cooperative more broadly describes people helping or working alongside each other, which can include simply not obstructing one another. Collaborative tends to suggest a more active, integrated form of teamwork.
What is the difference between collaborative and collective?
Collaborative emphasizes the active process of people working together toward a shared goal, while collective describes something done or owned by a group as a whole, without necessarily emphasizing active joint effort. A collaborative project involves people working in tandem, whereas a collective decision simply reflects the group's combined view.
Is 'collaborative' formal or informal?
Collaborative is a fairly neutral, professional-sounding word commonly used in business, academic, and workplace contexts to describe teamwork. It fits comfortably in both formal writing and everyday professional conversation without sounding overly casual or overly stiff.
