Collecting

/kəˈlɛktɪŋ/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

1

To gather and accumulate items systematically.

/kəˈlɛktɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
General

Gathering and accumulating items.

She's collecting seashells on the beach.

💡 Simply: Collecting is like adding things to your special box or folder. It could be stamps, rocks, or even funny socks! You keep adding more of the same kind of thing.

👶 For kids: Putting things together that are the same.

More Examples

2

The charity is collecting donations.

How It's Used

Hobbies

"He enjoys collecting stamps."

Museums

"The museum is collecting artifacts from ancient civilizations."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

collect oneself

To regain composure after a shock or surprise.

"After the accident, she took a moment to collect herself."

From Middle English *collecten*, from Old French *collecter*, from Latin *colligere* "to gather together," from *com-* "together" + *legere* "to gather, read."

The word has been used in similar ways throughout history, always implying a gathering of items.

Memory tip

Think of a collector meticulously adding items to their collection.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to gather together"

collect datacollect evidencecollect taxes

Common misspellings

colectingcolectincolleting

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written