C1adjective 2K

Collective

🇬🇧 UK /["/kəˈlektɪv/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/kəˈlektɪv/"]/

Meaning of Collective

done or shared by all members of a group of people; involving a whole group or society

In simple words: A group of people or things coming together.

Collective in a sentence

• **collective leadership/decision-making/responsibility**
• collective memory *(= things that a group of people or a community know or remember, that are often passed from parents to children)*
• It was formed as a permanent association of employers to represent their collective interests.
• MPs heaved a collective sigh of relief when the news was announced last night.
• The austerities of wartime Europe were still fresh in the collective memory.
• There has to be a balance between individual choice and collective responsibility.
• We encourage collective decision-making about patient care, involving medical staff, the patient and family.
• The collective name for mast, boom and sails on a boat is the ‘rig’.

How to use Collective

Used when referring to a group acting as one. More formal in academic contexts; less common in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

collective + noun

Memory hint

Think 'collect' combined with 'active' - together they form a united group.

Related words

Collocations with Collective

• collective effort
• collective responsibility
• collective decision
• collective noun
• collective consciousness

Synonyms for Collective

• group
• team
• ensemble
• aggregate
• body

Opposites of Collective

• individual
• solitary
• single

Common mistakes with Collective

• Confused with 'collect'—'collective' is a noun/adjective.
• Using 'collective' in a singular context improperly.
• Mispronouncing it as 'co-lective' instead of 'co-lect-ive'.

Frequently asked questions about Collective

What does Collective mean?

A group of people or things coming together.

What is the definition of Collective?

done or shared by all members of a group of people; involving a whole group or society

How do you use Collective in a sentence?

**collective leadership/decision-making/responsibility**

Can you give another example of Collective?

collective memory *(= things that a group of people or a community know or remember, that are often passed from parents to children)*

What are synonyms for Collective?

Common alternatives include group, team, ensemble, aggregate, body.

What is the opposite of Collective?

Opposite meanings include individual, solitary, single.

What words go with Collective?

It commonly pairs with collective effort, collective responsibility, collective decision, collective noun, collective consciousness.

What are common mistakes when using Collective?

Confused with 'collect'—'collective' is a noun/adjective. Using 'collective' in a singular context improperly. Mispronouncing it as 'co-lective' instead of 'co-lect-ive'.

How do you pronounce Collective?

US: /["/kəˈlektɪv/"]/, UK: /["/kəˈlektɪv/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Collective?

Used when referring to a group acting as one. More formal in academic contexts; less common in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Collective?

"Collective" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.