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collect · verb /kəˈlekt/Full view
Nouns: collection, collector
Adjectives: collected, collective
Verbs: collect
Adverbs: collectively
collect (KEEP)
A2 T to get and keep things of one type such as stamps or coins as a hobby
Dictionary examples:

She collects dolls.

So when did you start collecting antique glass?

Learner example:

I like to collect dolls, you know that already. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

collect (GO TO GET)
A2 T to go to a place and bring someone or something away from it
Dictionary examples:

I'll collect you from the station.

Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday.

Learner example:

Can I collect them on Sunday at 5 p.m? (Key English Test; A2; Polish)

collect (BRING TOGETHER)
B1 T to get things from different places and bring them together
Dictionary examples:

Police collected a good deal of information during the investigation.

I collected up twenty bottles from various parts of the house.

Learner example:

The majority of people collect their own rubbish separately in their home, but they d[o] not separate the paper and the cardboard. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

collect (MONEY)
B2 I or T to ask people to give you money for something, for example a charity
Dictionary examples:

I'm collecting on behalf of Oxfam.

We're collecting (money) for the homeless.

Learner example:

And I think it's a perfect way to collect money for our poor people. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

collect yourself/your thoughts
C2 to get control over your feelings and thoughts
Dictionary example:

I'll give you a moment to collect your thoughts.

Learner example:

I had [...] about 20 minutes so it would be plenty of time to collect my thoughts and calm down. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

collect · adjective, adverb /kəˈlekt/

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