C1noun2K

Gathering

UK /["/ˈɡæðərɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈɡæðərɪŋ/"]/

Definition

a meeting of people for a particular purpose

In simple words: A meeting of people to talk or do activities together.

Examples

  • a **social/family gathering**
  • He was asked to speak at a gathering of religious leaders.
  • We're having a small family gathering to mark our wedding anniversary.
  • While the country was under martial law there was a ban on public gatherings.
  • The president addressed a gathering of local government officials.
  • We all go to my parents' at Christmas for the annual gathering of the clan.
  • methods of information gathering

Usage notes

Commonly used for social events and meetings. Suitable in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid in very formal settings like official business meetings.

Grammar pattern

gathering + object

Memory hint

Think of 'gather' like a 'garden' where people come together to share and grow.

Collocations

  • big
  • large
  • small
  • attend
  • go to
  • have
  • take place
  • gathering of
  • a gathering of the clan/​clans
  • information
  • intelligence

Synonyms

  • meeting
  • assembly
  • convention
  • get-together
  • event

Antonyms

  • scattering
  • dispersal

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'gather' as a verb instead of noun.
  • Using it to describe something that isn't a meeting or social event.
  • Incorrect pluralization (e.g., 'gatherings' used without context).