collect
C1 (High-frequency core verb)Neutral (used across formal, informal, business, and academic contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To bring or gather together items from various places or sources into one location or group.
To systematically accumulate or assemble things, ideas, or money over time; to regain control of oneself or one's thoughts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies deliberate, selective, or purposeful gathering, not random accumulation. As a noun/adjective ('collect call'), it is restricted to specific contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'to collect' commonly means 'to fetch' (e.g., collect a child from school). In American English, 'pick up' is more typical for fetching, while 'collect' focuses more on the gathering aspect. For phone calls, 'collect call' (US) = 'reverse charge call' (UK).
Connotations
Similar core connotations of systematic accumulation. The 'fetch' sense is more everyday in the UK.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to the 'fetch' usage supplementing the 'gather' usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP collect NP] (transitive)[NP collect for NP] (collect money for a cause)[NP collect NP from NP] (collect children from school)[NP collect] (intransitive, e.g., dust collects)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “collect your thoughts”
- “collect dust”
- “collect oneself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To receive payment (collect receivables), gather market data.
Academic
To systematically gather research data or specimens.
Everyday
To fetch someone, gather belongings, or accumulate hobbies (collect coins).
Technical
In programming, 'garbage collect' (memory management).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you collect the children from football practice?
- The museum collects artefacts from the Roman period.
- Water began to collect in the bucket.
American English
- She collects vintage postcards from every state.
- The agency collects data on consumer habits.
- I need to collect myself before the interview.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He made a collect call to his parents. (Reverse charge)
- N/A
American English
- She placed a collect call from the payphone.
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I collect shells on the beach.
- Please collect your books from the table.
- We are collecting money for the school trip.
- Dust collects on the furniture if you don't clean.
- Researchers collected samples from over 50 sites.
- He paused to collect his thoughts before answering.
- The government's new policy aims to collect tax more efficiently from digital platforms.
- Over the decades, the library has collected a formidable archive of first editions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COLUMN of LECTurers (COLL-ECT), each bringing their books together into one pile.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/OBJECTS ARE VALUABLES TO BE ACCUMULATED (e.g., collect data, collect antiques).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'college' (колледж).
- The Russian verb 'собирать' covers both 'collect' and 'assemble' (like furniture). 'Collect' is more specific to gathering separate items.
- Do not use 'collect' for 'take' in all contexts; use 'pick up' or 'fetch' in AmE.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I will collect you at the airport.' (AmE preference: 'I will pick you up...')
- Incorrect: 'He collects the flat-pack furniture.' (Use 'assembles').
- Overusing 'collect' for any form of taking.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'collect' used in a primarily British sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Collect' often implies a purpose, a set, or value (collect stamps, collect rent). 'Gather' is more general and can imply a simpler, less systematic bringing together (gather wildflowers, gather people).
Yes, intransitively, often meaning 'to accumulate' (e.g., 'Water collected in the basement', 'Dust collects quickly here').
No, the equivalent term in British English is 'reverse charge call'.
It means to regain one's composure or calm down after being upset or distracted. Example: 'She was crying, but took a minute to collect herself before speaking.'