Gather
/ˈɡæðər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo come together or bring together.
/ˈɡæðər/
To come together or bring things together in one place.
The students gathered in the auditorium for the assembly.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a party! To gather is like when you invite all your friends and family to come to one place at the same time. You gather people, or you gather ingredients for the cake!
👶 For kids: When people or things come together in one place, that's to gather!
More Examples
Let's gather all the necessary supplies before we start the project.
People gathered at the town square to celebrate the holiday.
How It's Used
"Friends gather for dinner."
"Scientists gather data."
To accumulate or collect something gradually.
/ˈɡæðər/
To accumulate or obtain something.
The detective gathered evidence to solve the case.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are doing research for a project and find lots of pieces of information, and add them all together. That's to gather information. Or imagine going apple picking, and gathering all the apples!
👶 For kids: To find or collect things one by one, like collecting toys!
More Examples
He gathered his belongings before leaving.
She gathered experience by working in different fields.
How It's Used
"She gathered information from various sources."
"Farmers gather the crops during harvest season."
To deduce or understand from observation or inference.
/ˈɡæðər/
To understand or conclude something.
I gather you’re not interested in the project.
💡 Simply: It's like when you put the clues together and figure something out. Like, "I gather you didn't like the movie," when someone is yawning and looking bored!
👶 For kids: To figure something out by putting clues together.
More Examples
From her tone, I gather she’s upset.
We gather the meeting is postponed
How It's Used
"I gather from your silence that you disagree."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
gather dust
To be left unused or neglected.
"The old books were left to gather dust on the shelves."
gather oneself
To regain composure or strength, especially after an emotional or stressful situation.
"After the shock, she took a moment to gather herself before speaking."
From Old English *gaderian*, meaning 'to assemble, collect'. Cognate with Old High German *gazaron*.
The word has been used since the Old English period, with similar meanings, often referring to collecting items or people.
Memory tip
Think of a group of people coming together, like a group of sheep (gather).
Word Origin
"to assemble"