collate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “collate” mean?
to collect and arrange information, documents, or pages into a specific order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to collect and arrange information, documents, or pages into a specific order.
To compare texts or data carefully in order to identify points of agreement or difference; in computing, to combine multiple datasets into a single, ordered sequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. In US English, 'collate' is very common in office/printer settings. In UK English, its use in academic/library contexts might be slightly more prominent.
Connotations
Neutral/technical. In both varieties, it connotes precision and methodical work.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in professional and academic contexts; low frequency in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “collate” in a Sentence
collate somethingcollate something with somethingcollate something into somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Could you collate the survey responses and post me the summary?
- The clerk was collating the briefs for the barrister.
American English
- Make sure the printer is set to collate the copies of the proposal.
- She collated the data from three different experiments.
adverb
British English
- The pages were delivered collated.
- Reports are printed collated by default.
American English
- The packets came already collated.
- Files are saved collated for easier access.
adjective
British English
- The collated documents were ready for review.
- Please provide a collated set of the appendices.
American English
- A collated report is much easier to present.
- The collated feedback forms are on the shared drive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Please collate the quarterly reports into a single binder for the board meeting."
Academic
"The researcher's first task was to collate all existing studies on the topic."
Everyday
"I need to collate these recipe cards by cuisine before putting them in the box."
Technical
"The database function will collate the records based on the primary key."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collate”
- Confusing 'collate' with 'collect' (collate includes arranging). Incorrect: 'I collated some berries.' Correct: 'I collected some berries.'
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'sort' or 'put together' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin is in bookbinding, it is now widely used for digital data, information, and evidence of any kind.
'Collate' emphasizes arranging items, often by comparison, into a sequence. 'Compile' focuses more on the act of gathering items from various sources into a list or collection; arrangement may be implied but is less central.
Yes, especially in textual criticism or research. To 'collate two manuscripts' means to compare them line-by-line to note variations.
Yes, the standard pronunciation /kəˈleɪt/ is the same in both major varieties.
to collect and arrange information, documents, or pages into a specific order.
Collate is usually formal/academic/technical in register.
Collate: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Collate and correlate (common in research contexts)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COLLEAGUE (sounds like 'collate') helping you to COLLECT and ARRANGE papers in a LATE-night meeting.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZING IS CREATING ORDER FROM CHAOS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'collate' LEAST likely to be used?