noun
Common
collecting
kuh-LEHK-tihng
Collecting (noun) means the hobby of seeking, acquiring, and organizing items of personal interest. Example: “Coin collecting taught my grandfather a great deal about history and geography.”
noun
1
The hobby of seeking, acquiring, and organizing items of personal interest.
"The task of data gathering is not a random walk, a sensual search, or the bemused collectings of a beachcomber."
— Melissa A Hardy, Alan Bryman (2009)
"Coin collecting taught my grandfather a great deal about history and geography."
"She turned to collecting vintage postcards when she needed a quiet weekend hobby."
"Stamp collecting was once one of the most popular hobbies in the country."
How to use collecting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hobby of gathering and keeping items you find interesting or valuable.
Common pairings
coin collecting
stamp collecting
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Word forms
- Plural
- collectings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Coin _____ taught my grandfather a great deal about history and geography.
Etymology
Formed from collect and -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for collecting
expecting
detecting
affecting
selecting
rejecting
projecting
reflecting
respecting
correcting
perfecting
dissecting
inspecting
See all rhymes for collecting →
Frequently asked questions
What does “collecting” mean?
The word “collecting” means the hobby of seeking, acquiring, and organizing items of personal interest. In plain terms, the hobby of gathering and keeping items you find interesting or valuable.
How do you pronounce “collecting”?
“Collecting” is pronounced kuh-LEHK-tihng (/kəˈlɛktɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “collecting” in a sentence?
Here is “collecting” used in a sentence: “Stamp collecting was once one of the most popular hobbies in the country.”
What part of speech is “collecting”?
“Collecting” is a noun.
Is “collecting” a common word?
“Collecting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between collecting and hoarding?
Collecting is the hobby of seeking, acquiring, and organizing items of personal interest, usually in an intentional and orderly way. Hoarding involves accumulating large amounts of things without organization, often to a point that causes distress or clutter. The key differences are purpose and control: collecting is selective and organized, while hoarding is not.
What is the difference between collecting and gathering?
Collecting, as a hobby, means seeking and organizing items of personal interest over time, often building a themed set. Gathering is the more general act of bringing things together in one place, without the sense of a lasting, curated collection. A collector keeps and organizes items, whereas gathering can be a one-time action.
What are examples of popular collecting hobbies?
Popular forms of collecting include stamps, coins, trading cards, stamps, records, and antiques, among many others. Each involves seeking, acquiring, and organizing items of personal interest, the defining features of the hobby. What is collected varies widely with the collector's tastes.
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