Word family noun collection collector collective collectable collectible collectivism collectivization adjective collected collective collectable collectible collectivist verb collect collectivize adverb collectively
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcollectcol‧lect1 /kəˈlekt/ ●●● S1 W2 verb 1 BRING TOGETHERbring together [transitive]COLLECT to get things of the same type from different places and bring them together → collection, collector After 25 years of collecting recipes, she has compiled them into a cookbook. The company collects information about consumer trends. We’ve been out collecting signatures for our petition.2 keep objectsKEEP OBJECTS [transitive]COLLECT to get and keep objects of the same type, because you think they are attractive or interesting → collection, collector Arlene collects teddy bears.3 rent/debts/taxesMONEY [transitive] to get money that you are owed → collectorcollect tax/rent/a debt The landlady came around once a month to collect the rent.4 money to help people [intransitive, transitive] to ask people to give you money or goods for an organization that helps peoplecollect for I’m collecting for Children in Need.5 increase in amountINCREASE IN AMOUNT [intransitive, transitive] if something collects in a place, or you collect it there, it gradually increases in amount Rain collected in pools on the road. solar panels for collecting energy from the sun I didn’t know what to do with it, so it just sat there collecting dust. 6 win something [transitive] to receive something because you have won a race, game etc Redgrave collected his fifth Olympic gold medal in Sydney.7 → collect yourself/collect your thoughts8 take somebody/something from a placeTAKE somebody/something FROM A PLACETAKE/BRING [transitive] especially British English to come to a particular place in order to take someone or something away SYN pick up American English Martin’s gone to collect the children from school. I’ve got to go and collect the book I ordered from the library.9 crowdCROWD [intransitive]MEET formal to come together gradually to form a group of people SYN gather A crowd was beginning to collect around the scene of the accident.THESAURUScollect to get things of the same type from different places and bring them togetherShe collects stamps (=as a hobby).They have collected 650 signatures for their petition.gather to collect information from different places, or to collect crops, flowers, wood etc, especially from the groundComputers make it easier to gather information.The men gathered firewood.assemble formal to collect something such as information in an organized wayWhen all the evidence is assembled, we will write our report.build up to gradually collect more things of the same type over timeHe has built up one of the country’s finest collections of art.accumulate to gradually get more and more of something such as money, possessions, or knowledge, over time. Accumulate is more formal than build upHe is driven by the desire to accumulate wealth.amass to collect a large amount of something such as money, information, or knowledge, over timeCarnegie amassed a fortune in the steel industry.run up a bill/debt/loss informal to allow a debt to increase quickly, especially by spending too muchHe ran up huge gambling debts. → collect something ↔ up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
collect• Organizers have already collected 650 signatures.• Rain collecting at the tip of the rock has formed huge icicles.• Profit fell because the company was unable to collect claims against the oil buffer fund.• Historians are skilled in collecting facts and interpreting them.• I've got a parcel to collect from the post office.• Her father sent a taxi to collect her from the hotel.• You collect interest of 1.13% a month when you're in credit.• Anyone who collects jazz records should buy this book. It's full of information on old recordings.• I'm at the station. Can you come and collect me?• I've come to collect Mr. Weinstein's order.• I joked that I had to go and collect my $ 40,000 appearance money.• That would have allowed them to collect nearly $ 2 in federal funds for each local dollar.• I had duly collected Nigel's ashes.• If condensation collects on the inside of the window, wipe it off with a clean cloth.• Rent is collected once a month.• An hour or so before the press conference, a crowd begin to collect outside the building.• A crowd was starting to collect outside the theatre to await the arrival of the prime minister.• Nigel's hobby is collecting rare books.• After 25 years of collecting recipes, Barber has compiled them into a cookbook.• I've been collecting samples of the different types of rock which occur in this area.• He's been collecting signatures of voters to get the measure on the ballot.• They collected the garbage like their jobs depended on it, cheaper and better.• The building uses solar panels for collecting the sun's heat.• They feed by collecting tiny particles from the water.• As the tide came in, water collected to form small pools among the rocks.• People who are collecting welfare checks usually really need them.• The next day, the parents took the children into the woods to collect wood; each got one piece of bread.• If the last bus has left, I'll collect you.collecting dust• Now I occupy space in your lounge collecting dust.• When Mungo got down, he could see that more books were collecting dust under the bed.collectcollect2 adverb → call/phone somebody collectExamples from the Corpus
collect• I called from Chicago, leaving messages once, twice and even asked people to call me back collect.• He has no money but knows how to call home collect, according to police.collectcol‧lect3 /ˈkɒlɪkt, -lekt $ ˈkɑː-/ noun [countable] RRCa short prayer in some Christian servicesFrom Longman Business Dictionarycollectcol‧lect1 /kəˈlekt/ verb [transitive]1BANKING collect cheques to arrange for cheques to be paidThe district banks provide a variety of services for commercial banks, including collecting and clearing cheques.2COMMERCETAX collect debts/taxes to obtain payment of debts or taxesThe company wasn’t aggressive about collecting debts.Russia’s public finances must be brought into order by collecting more taxes and cutting spending.→ See Verb tablecollectcollect2 adverb call/phone somebody collect American English when you telephone someone collect, the person receiving the call pays for itCalling the US is very expensive from here - better to call collect.Origin collect1 (1500-1600) Latin past participle of colligere, from com- ( → COM-) + legere “to gather” collect3 (1200-1300) Old French collecte, from Medieval Latin collecta “(prayer for) a gathering”, from Latin colligere; → COLLECT1 