collegiality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, primarily used in professional, academic, and bureaucratic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “collegiality” mean?
A cooperative and respectful relationship among colleagues within a profession or organisation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cooperative and respectful relationship among colleagues within a profession or organisation.
The spirit of shared responsibility, mutual respect, and cooperation that characterises a group of equals working together, often implying a supportive and non-hierarchical environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The term is slightly more established and frequent in American professional and academic discourse.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of professionalism, cooperation, and a positive work environment. In UK contexts, it may sometimes be perceived as corporate jargon.
Frequency
More common in American English. In British English, alternatives like 'team spirit' or 'cooperation' may be preferred in less formal professional settings.
Grammar
How to Use “collegiality” in a Sentence
Collegiality among + [group noun: faculty, staff, partners]Collegiality between + [plural noun: departments, teams]Collegiality in + [place noun: the workplace, the department]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collegiality” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The committee members worked collegially to draft the proposal.
- He collegially shared the data with his research partner.
American English
- The department heads met collegially to resolve the issue.
- They collegially agreed to rotate the leadership role.
adjective
British English
- The barristers' chambers had a pleasantly collegial atmosphere.
- Their decision-making process is notably collegial.
American English
- The firm fosters a collegial environment for all attorneys.
- She appreciated her supervisor's collegial management style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe an ideal corporate culture where employees and managers work as equals in a supportive atmosphere, e.g., 'The new CEO prioritises collegiality over strict hierarchy.'
Academic
Common in university settings, referring to respectful cooperation among faculty members, e.g., 'Academic freedom relies on a foundation of collegiality and shared governance.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing workplace culture in a formal manner.
Technical
Used in organisational psychology, human resources, and management studies to describe a specific quality of professional relationships.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collegiality”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collegiality”
- Misspelling as 'collegialty' or 'collegability'.
- Using it to describe general friendship outside a professional association of equals.
- Pronouncing it as /kəˈliːdʒəlti/ (missing the 'i' sound before '-ality').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While both involve cooperation, 'collegiality' specifically emphasises the relationship among colleagues (equals in status or profession) characterised by mutual respect and shared responsibility. 'Teamwork' is broader and can apply to any group working together, regardless of their hierarchical relationship.
Yes, it can. Collegiality often refers to the quality of relationships *within* a peer group (e.g., among all managers, or among all teaching staff). An organisation can have a clear hierarchy but still foster collegiality within ranks or across them through respectful consultation.
Almost exclusively. It is used to describe a desirable, positive quality of a professional environment. Its absence is typically noted as a problem.
The adjective is 'collegial'. Example: 'We have a very collegial department.'
A cooperative and respectful relationship among colleagues within a profession or organisation.
Collegiality is usually formal, primarily used in professional, academic, and bureaucratic contexts. in register.
Collegiality: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌliːdʒiˈæləti/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌliːdʒiˈæləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COLLEGE where idealistic professors (colleagues) work together with mutual respect – that's COLLEGIALITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORKPLACE IS A COMMUNITY OF EQUALS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'collegiality' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?