collect
kuh-LEHKT
Collect (verb) means to gather things together, often systematically. Example: “She collects vintage postcards from flea markets.”
verb
1
To gather things together, often systematically.
"She collects vintage postcards from flea markets."
"Volunteers collected donations for the food bank."
"Children collect shells along the beach and arrange them on the windowsill at home."
2
To go and get someone or something; to pick up.
"I'll collect the kids from school at three."
"Can you collect my parcel from the post office on your way home?"
"We need to collect Grandma from the station at half past six."
3
To receive payment that is owed.
"The shop owner called round to collect what we owed him."
"Charities collect the money pledged by donors after each event."
"The landlord collects rent on the first of the month."
How to use collect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring things or people together, or to receive money that is due.
Common pairings
collect data
collect rent
collect stamps
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Word forms
- Plural
- collects
- Third person singular
- collects
- Past tense
- collected
- Archaic forms
- collectest, collectedst, collecteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ vintage postcards from flea markets.
Etymology
From Latin colligere, "to gather together", from com- ("together") and legere ("to gather").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for collect
See all rhymes for collect →Frequently asked questions
What does “collect” mean?
The word “collect” means to gather things together, often systematically. In plain terms, to bring things or people together, or to receive money that is due.
How do you pronounce “collect”?
“Collect” is pronounced kuh-LEHKT (/kəˈlɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “collect” in a sentence?
Here is “collect” used in a sentence: “She collects vintage postcards from flea markets.”
What is another word for “collect”?
Words with a similar meaning to “collect” include gather up, secure, gather, mass, merge and coalesce.
What part of speech is “collect”?
“Collect” is a verb.
Where does the word “collect” come from?
The word “collect” comes from Latin. From Latin colligere, "to gather together", from com- ("together") and legere ("to gather").
Is “collect” a common word?
“Collect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “collect” have?
“Collect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to gather things together, often systematically.
What is the difference between collect and gather?
Both mean to bring things together, but collect usually suggests doing so systematically or selectively, as with stamps or data. Gather is more general and can describe simply bringing scattered things or people into one place.
Is it correct to say 'collect someone'?
Yes. In British English especially, collect commonly means to go and pick someone or something up — for example, 'I'll collect the kids from school.' American English speakers more often say 'pick up' in this context.
What is the difference between collect and accumulate?
Collect normally implies a deliberate, organised effort to bring things together. Accumulate suggests a gradual build-up over time that can happen with or without intention — dust accumulates on its own, but a person collects coins.
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