adv
Common
collectively
Collectively (adv) means As a group; treated or acting together rather than individually. Example: “The employees collectively demanded better pay and conditions.”
adv
1
As a group; treated or acting together rather than individually.
"The employees collectively demanded better pay and conditions."
"The villagers collectively paid for the new roof on the hall."
"We collectively decided to move the meeting to next week."
How to use collectively
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing or considering something as one united group, not as separate individuals.
Common pairings
collectively agreed
known collectively as
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The employees _____ demanded better pay and conditions.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for collectively
See all rhymes for collectively →Frequently asked questions
What does “collectively” mean?
The word “collectively” means as a group; treated or acting together rather than individually. In plain terms, doing or considering something as one united group, not as separate individuals.
How do you use “collectively” in a sentence?
Here is “collectively” used in a sentence: “The employees collectively demanded better pay and conditions.”
What part of speech is “collectively”?
“Collectively” is an adverb.
Is “collectively” a common word?
“Collectively” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between collectively and individually?
Collectively describes a group acting or being treated as a single unit, while individually refers to each member acting or being considered separately. If a team wins a prize collectively, the whole team shares it; if members are praised individually, each person is singled out.
When should you use collectively instead of together?
Collectively often carries a slightly more formal or analytical tone than together, and it emphasizes treating a group as one combined entity rather than simply doing something in each other's company. It is common in business, legal, and scientific writing, such as "the shareholders collectively own 40% of the company."
Is collectively used in formal or legal writing?
Yes, collectively appears frequently in formal, legal, and business contexts to describe groups, parties, or assets being referred to or acting as a single unit, such as "the undersigned parties, collectively 'the Sellers'."
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