collector
kuh-LEHK-tuh
Collector (noun) means a person who collects items, often as a hobby. Example: “My aunt is a collector of vintage teapots and china cups.”
noun
1
A person who collects items, often as a hobby.
"My aunt is a collector of vintage teapots and china cups."
"The museum borrowed paintings from a private collector."
"He's a serious collector of rare comic books."
2
A person or agency whose job is to collect payments owed.
"The rent collector knocked on the door every Friday afternoon."
"The tax collector sent a letter asking us to pay by the end of the month."
"A debt collector called about the overdue balance."
3
Electronics: the terminal of a transistor that gathers current from the base and emitter.
"In this circuit, the collector is connected to the positive supply."
"The engineer measured the voltage at the collector of the transistor."
"Current flows out through the collector terminal of the transistor."
How to use collector
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that gathers items or payments — a hobbyist collector, a debt collector, or a transistor part.
Common pairings
debt collector
art collector
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Word forms
- Plural
- collectors
Fill the gap
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My aunt is a _____ of vintage teapots and china cups.
Etymology
From Late Latin collector, from Latin colligere, "to gather together".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for collector
See all rhymes for collector →Frequently asked questions
What does “collector” mean?
The word “collector” means a person who collects items, often as a hobby. In plain terms, someone (or something) that gathers items or payments — a hobbyist collector, a debt collector, or a transistor part.
How do you pronounce “collector”?
“Collector” is pronounced kuh-LEHK-tuh (/kəˈlɛk.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “collector” in a sentence?
Here is “collector” used in a sentence: “He's a serious collector of rare comic books.”
What part of speech is “collector”?
“Collector” is a noun.
Where does the word “collector” come from?
The word “collector” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin collector, from Latin colligere, "to gather together".
Is “collector” a common word?
“Collector” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “collector” have?
“Collector” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who collects items, often as a hobby.
What is the difference between a "collector" and a "hoarder"?
A collector deliberately gathers specific items, often organising and valuing them as a hobby. A hoarder accumulates large quantities of things without selective purpose and often struggles to discard them; "collector" carries a positive tone, while "hoarder" is usually negative.
What is the difference between a "collector" and a "curator"?
A collector personally acquires and owns items, typically for enjoyment or investment. A curator is a professional who selects, organises, and looks after items in a museum or gallery, usually items they do not personally own.
What is a "debt collector" or a "tax collector"?
In these terms, a "collector" is a person or agency whose job is to collect payments that are owed. A debt collector pursues money owed to a business, while a tax collector gathers taxes on behalf of a government.
What is a "collector's item"?
A "collector's item" is an object considered valuable or desirable to collectors, often because it is rare, old, or no longer produced. The related word "collectible" describes items specifically made or kept to be collected.
