gather
GA-thuh
Gather (verb) means to bring separate things or people together in one place. Example: “Please gather around the table so everyone can see the map.”
verb
1
To bring separate things or people together in one place.
"Please gather around the table so everyone can see the map."
"They gathered the children into the classroom before the fire drill."
"Dark clouds gathered over the hills before the storm."
2
To collect or accumulate something gradually.
"Bees gather nectar from flowers all through the summer months."
"She spent the afternoon gathering firewood."
"The evidence gathered over months finally led to an arrest."
3
To conclude or infer something from information available.
"From what I gather, the shop closes early on Saturdays now."
"Am I to gather that you won't be coming to the party?"
"I gather from your tone that you disagree."
How to use gather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring things or people together, to collect something over time, or to work out something from clues.
Common pairings
gather information
gather round
gather strength
I gather that
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gather.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gathers
- Third person singular
- gathers
- Past tense
- gathered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ around the table so everyone can see the map.
Etymology
From Old English gaderian ("to bring together, unite"), from a Germanic root meaning "to unite or keep."
Synonyms
View more →
collect
assemble
accumulate
amass
congregate
round up
foregather
cumulate
conglomerate
add up
begather
togetherize
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gather
father
lather
rather
Mather
leather
weather
feather
heather
breather
godfather
stepfather
Mayweather
See all rhymes for gather →
Frequently asked questions
What does “gather” mean?
The word “gather” means to bring separate things or people together in one place. In plain terms, to bring things or people together, to collect something over time, or to work out something from clues.
How do you pronounce “gather”?
“Gather” is pronounced GA-thuh (/ˈɡæðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gather” in a sentence?
Here is “gather” used in a sentence: “They gathered the children into the classroom before the fire drill.”
What is another word for “gather”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gather” include add up, begather and togetherize.
What part of speech is “gather”?
“Gather” is a verb.
Where does the word “gather” come from?
The word “gather” comes from Old English. From Old English gaderian ("to bring together, unite"), from a Germanic root meaning "to unite or keep.".
Is “gather” a common word?
“Gather” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “gather” have?
“Gather” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bring separate things or people together in one place.
What is the difference between "gather" and "collect"?
Both mean to bring things together, but "gather" often suggests drawing scattered things or people into one place, sometimes casually. "Collect" can carry a sense of selecting or accumulating items on purpose, as in collecting stamps or collecting data.
What is the difference between "gather" and "assemble"?
"Gather" is the more general and everyday word for bringing people or things together. "Assemble" is often more deliberate and organized, used when a group comes together for a specific purpose or when parts are put together to form a whole.
What prepositions are used with "gather"?
Common combinations include "gather around" (to form a circle or crowd), "gather up" (to collect things together), and "gather together." You also "gather" people or things "in" a place.
What are common collocations with "gather"?
Frequent pairings include "gather information," "gather momentum," "gather speed," and "gather a crowd." These reflect both bringing things together and gradually building something up.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gather:
