collectivity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Academic
Quick answer
What does “collectivity” mean?
A group, community, or body of people considered as a whole.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group, community, or body of people considered as a whole.
The quality of being collective; a state or principle characterized by people acting together as a group rather than as individuals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Slightly more common in British academic sociology; slightly more common in American political science.
Connotations
In British usage, often associated with social theory and community studies. In American usage, sometimes carries a neutral-to-negative connotation related to collectivism vs. individualism.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties; primarily academic.
Grammar
How to Use “collectivity” in a Sentence
The collectivity of [the group/people/nation]A sense of collectivity among [members/workers/citizens]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collectivity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The workers collectivised the factory's management structure.
- We aim to collectivise the decision-making process.
American English
- The workers collectivized the farm's operations.
- They sought to collectivize the benefits.
adverb
British English
- The team worked collectively to finish the project on time.
- They decided collectively to reject the offer.
American English
- The neighborhood acted collectively after the storm.
- We must think collectively about this issue.
adjective
British English
- The collective bargaining agreement was ratified.
- They made a collective decision after much debate.
American English
- The collective action of the protesters was effective.
- Our collective responsibility is clear.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in HR contexts discussing team cohesion or corporate culture as a 'collectivity'.
Academic
Common in sociology, anthropology, political science to describe cohesive social groups or shared consciousness.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound overly formal or technical.
Technical
Used in sociology (e.g., Durkheim's 'collective consciousness'), political philosophy, and group dynamics studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collectivity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collectivity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collectivity”
- Using 'collectivity' in casual conversation where 'group' or 'community' would be more natural.
- Confusing spelling: 'collectivity' not 'collectivety'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal/academic word. In everyday conversation, 'group', 'community', or 'collective' are far more common.
'Collective' is often an adjective or a noun for a specific cooperative enterprise (e.g., an artists' collective). 'Collectivity' is a noun describing the abstract state or quality of being a collective whole, or the group itself in an abstract sense.
In some contexts, particularly in American political discourse, it can carry a negative connotation when contrasted with individualism, implying loss of personal freedom.
Very rarely. It might appear in high-level discussions of organisational culture or corporate sociology, but terms like 'team cohesion', 'corporate community', or 'shared purpose' are more typical.
A group, community, or body of people considered as a whole.
Collectivity is usually formal / academic in register.
Collectivity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒl.ekˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːl.ekˈtɪv.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with this specific noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COLLECTIVITY = COLLECT + ACTIVITY → the activity of people collected together as one.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOCIETY IS A BODY (the collectivity functions as a single organism).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'collectivity' MOST appropriately used?