collect
verb
/kəˈlekt/
/kəˈlekt/
Idioms Phrasal Verbs jump to other results
bring together
[transitive] to bring things together from different people or places synonym gather- collect something to collect data/evidence/information
- We're collecting signatures for a petition.
- The purpose of his trip was to collect material for a book.
- collect something from somebody/something Samples were collected from over 200 patients.
- an analysis of 400 specimens collected from 12 localities
- We've been collecting data from various sources.
as hobby
[transitive] collect something to buy or find things of a particular type and keep them as a hobby- to collect stamps/postcards/coins
- He started to collect art seriously soon after the turn of the century.
- He began collecting antiquities in 1785.
see also stamp collectingTopics Arta2 increase in amount
[intransitive, transitive] to gradually increase in amount in a place; to gradually obtain more and more of something in a place synonym accumulate- In spite of their efforts a large pool of liquid continued to collect.
- collect + adv./prep. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room.
- Water had collected on the flat roof.
- collect something We seem to have collected an enormous number of boxes (= without intending to).
- It’s amazing how she collects friends.
Synonyms collectcollectThese words all mean to get more of something over a period of time, or to increase in quantity over a period of time.- collect to bring things or information together from different people or places; to gradually increase in amount in a place:
- We’ve been collecting data from various sources.
- Dirt had collected in the corners of the room.
People sometimes collect things of a particular type as a hobby: to collect stamps . - gather to bring things together that have been spread around; to collect information from different sources:
- I waited while he gathered up his papers.
- Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
collect or gather?Both collect and gather can be used in the same way to talk about bringing together data, information or evidence. When talking about things, gather is used with words like things, belongings or papers when the things are spread around within a short distance. Collect is used for getting examples of something from different people or places that are physically separated.- accumulate (rather formal) to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time; to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time:
- I seem to have accumulated a lot of books.
- Debts began to accumulate.
- amass (rather formal) to collect something in large quantities, especially money, debts or information:
- He amassed a fortune from silver mining.
Patterns- to collect/gather/accumulate/amass data/evidence/information
- to accumulate/amass a fortune/debts
- dirt/dust/debris collects/accumulates
- to gradually/slowly collect/gather/accumulate (something)
take away
[transitive] to go somewhere in order to take somebody/something away- collect something What day do they collect the rubbish/garbage?
- The package is waiting to be collected.
- collect something from… On arrival, collect your keys from reception.
- (British English) collect somebody Someone will be at the airport to collect you.
- (British English) collect somebody from… She's gone to collect her son from school.
Extra Examples- Your package is ready to be collected.
- What time do you have to collect the children from school?
- We were invited to London to collect our prize.
- They usually collect the rubbish/garbage on a Thursday.
money
[intransitive, transitive] to ask people to give you money for a particular purpose- I've been out collecting, knocking on peoples doors and asking them for money.
- collect for something We're collecting for local charities.
- collect something Volunteers have been going door to door, collecting money.
- collect something for something We collected over £300 for the appeal.
- [transitive] collect something to obtain the money, etc. that somebody owes, for example by going to their house to get it
- to collect rent/debts/tax
receive/win
- [transitive, intransitive] collect (something) to receive something; to win something
- She collected £25 000 in compensation.
- to collect a prize/a medal
- She collected $50 000 on her husband’s life insurance policies.
- He went to the casino most nights, but usually failed to collect.
of people
- [intransitive] to come together in one place to form a larger group synonym gather
- A crowd began to collect in front of the embassy.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French collecter or medieval Latin collectare, from Latin collect- ‘gathered together’, from the verb colligere, from col- ‘together’ + legere ‘choose or collect’.
Idioms - to not be used for a long time
- Play your guitar that's gathering dust, or pull out the old tennis racket for a match.
- You may already have an old laptop that is collecting dust but otherwise usable.
collect yourself/your thoughts
- to try to control your emotions and become calm
- I'm fine—I just need a minute to collect myself.
- to prepare yourself mentally for something
- She paused to collect her thoughts before entering the interview room.