crowdsource: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal, predominantly in business, technology, and media contexts.
Quick answer
What does “crowdsource” mean?
to obtain information or a service by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically via the internet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to obtain information or a service by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically via the internet.
To outsource a task, problem, or project to an undefined, generally large group of people, often through an open call on a digital platform, leveraging collective intelligence and resources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The concept and term are used identically.
Connotations
Equally positive/neutral in both varieties, associated with innovation and digital collaboration.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the tech sector, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “crowdsource” in a Sentence
[Subject] crowdsources [Object] (from [Group])[Subject] crowdsources [Object] for [Purpose]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crowdsource” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The museum aims to crowdsource historical photographs for its new digital archive.
- They are crowdsourcing translations for the app to ensure local nuance.
American English
- The company crowdsourced ideas for its new logo through a dedicated platform.
- We should crowdsource the best hiking trails from the online community.
adverb
British English
- The data was collected crowdsource-style, via an open online survey.
- The work was done crowdsource-fashion, which was incredibly efficient.
American English
- They developed the software almost crowdsource-like, with hundreds of contributors.
- The problem was solved crowdsource-method, using a public challenge.
adjective
British English
- The crowdsourced map proved more up-to-date than the official one.
- They launched a crowdsourced funding campaign.
American English
- The project relies on a crowdsourced database. (Note: 'crowdsourced' is the participial adjective)
- She reviewed the crowdsourced list of best practices.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The startup decided to crowdsource its next product design to engage potential customers early."
Academic
"The research project crowdsourced geotagged images to study urban biodiversity."
Everyday
"I'm going to crowdsource restaurant recommendations on my social media."
Technical
"The platform uses an API to crowdsource real-time traffic data from user devices."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crowdsource”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crowdsource”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crowdsource”
- Using it for small, private groups (e.g., 'I crowdsourced my family' is atypical). Confusing with 'crowdfund' (specific for money).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Crowdfunding is a subset of crowdsourcing specifically for raising money. Crowdsourcing can involve ideas, labour, data, or other resources.
Rarely. The standard noun is 'crowdsourcing.' You might say 'a crowdsource' informally, but 'a crowdsourcing project' is correct.
Outsource delegates a task to a specific external provider. Crowdsource delegates it to an open, typically large and undefined public, often via an open call.
'Crowdsourced' is the correct past tense and past participle (e.g., 'They crowdsourced the answers yesterday', 'The data was crowdsourced').
to obtain information or a service by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically via the internet.
Crowdsource is usually neutral to formal, predominantly in business, technology, and media contexts. in register.
Crowdsource: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkraʊd.sɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkraʊd.sɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROWD as a SOURCE of ideas or work. You OUTSOURCE a task not to one company, but to a CROWD.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE INTERNET IS A GLOBAL BRAIN (tapping into collective intelligence).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary conceptual element of 'crowdsource'?