B1verb1K

Gather

UK /["/ˈɡæðə(r)/","/ˈɡæðəz/","/ˈɡæðəd/","/ˈɡæðərɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈɡæðər/","/ˈɡæðərz/","/ˈɡæðərd/","/ˈɡæðərɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to come together, or bring people together, in one place to form a group

In simple words: To bring things or people together in one place.

Examples

  • We need to gather the information before the meeting.
  • They will gather at the park for a picnic this Saturday.
  • He plans to gather flowers for the wedding bouquet.
  • As the clouds gathered, we knew a storm was coming.
  • The group decided to gather their resources to help those in need.

Usage notes

Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in most contexts, but avoid in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'get' are used.

Grammar pattern

gather + object

Memory hint

Think of 'gather' as 'gathering friends at a party'.

Collocations

  • hastily
  • hurriedly
  • quickly
  • hastily
  • hurriedly
  • quickly
  • quickly
  • rapidly
  • slowly
  • begin to
  • start to
  • continue to

Synonyms

  • collect
  • assemble
  • come together
  • convene
  • accumulate

Antonyms

  • disperse
  • scatter
  • separate

Common mistakes

  • 'Gather' is sometimes confused with 'gathering', but it’s a different form.
  • Learners might incorrectly use 'gather' with inanimate objects without a specified group.
  • Misuse of 'gather' as a transitive verb when it should be intransitive.