colˌlaboˈration: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (B2)Formal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “colˌlaboˈration” mean?
The act of working together with one or more people to produce or create something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of working together with one or more people to produce or create something.
Working jointly, especially in an intellectual, creative, or business endeavour. Can also refer pejoratively to cooperation with an enemy occupying one's country.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The negative connotation is equally understood.
Connotations
Primarily positive in contemporary use. The negative 'traitorous' connotation is specific to contexts like WWII.
Frequency
Common in both academic and business contexts. Slightly more formal than 'teamwork'.
Grammar
How to Use “colˌlaboˈration” in a Sentence
collaboration with [PERSON/ORGANISATION]collaboration between [PARTIES]collaboration on [PROJECT/TOPIC]in collaboration with [PERSON/ORGANISATION]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colˌlaboˈration” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to collaborate on the new marketing plan.
- The two universities are collaborating on a climate study.
American English
- Let's collaborate to get this project done.
- The tech firms collaborated to develop the new standard.
adverb
British English
- The team worked collaboratively to meet the deadline.
- They are developing the product collaboratively.
American English
- We need to function more collaboratively.
- The departments operated collaboratively on the initiative.
adjective
British English
- They used collaborative software to write the report.
- A collaborative spirit is essential here.
American English
- It was a highly collaborative effort.
- She has a great collaborative style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to partnerships between companies or cross-departmental projects.
Academic
Describes joint research between institutions or co-authorship of papers.
Everyday
Used for any group project, like planning an event or doing homework.
Technical
In computing, refers to software features enabling multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colˌlaboˈration”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colˌlaboˈration”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colˌlaboˈration”
- Confusing 'collaboration' with 'cooperation' (collaboration implies shared creative goal). Using 'collaboration' for a simple exchange of information rather than joint creation. Misspelling: 'colaboration' (single L).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in historical and political contexts it can mean cooperating traitorously with an enemy, like during a war. However, in most modern contexts (business, academia), it is positive.
'Cooperation' is broader, meaning working together agreeably. 'Collaboration' implies a deeper, shared creative or intellectual effort towards a single product or goal.
The most common are 'collaboration with [someone]', 'collaboration between [two parties]', and 'collaboration on [a project/task]'.
Not directly. The word is a noun. The verb form is 'collaborate' (e.g., 'We will collaborate').
The act of working together with one or more people to produce or create something.
Colˌlaboˈration is usually formal, neutral in register.
Colˌlaboˈration: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A marriage of minds”
- “Two heads are better than one”
- “In cahoots (informal, can imply secret collaboration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CO-' (together) and 'LABOUR' (work): working together in a lab or any workplace.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORK IS A JOINT JOURNEY (navigating a project together); BUILDING/CO-CONSTRUCTION (building something together brick by brick).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'collaboration' in its negative, historical sense?