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verb A1 Beginner Common

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."
2
To go and get someone or something; to pick up.
"I'll collect the kids from school at three."
3
To receive payment that is owed.
"The landlord collects rent on the first of the month."

How to Use Collect

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo bring things or people together, or to receive money that is due.

Common pairings
collect data collect rent collect stamps

Word Forms

collected past tense, collect plural, collected plural, collects plural, collects singular, collect singular, collected singular, collectest singular, collectedst singular, collecteth singular

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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").

Origin: Latin

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.

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