Collector
UK /["/kəˈlektə(r)/"]/US /["/kəˈlektər/"]/
Definition
a person who collects things, either as a hobby or as a job
In simple words: A person who gathers or collects things.
Examples
- a stamp collector
- **ticket/tax collectors**
- a major collector of Japanese art
Usage notes
Used to describe someone who has a hobby of gathering items like stamps, coins, or art. Not usually used in formal contexts.
Grammar pattern
collector + object
Memory hint
Think of a 'COLlection of COLlected items'.
Collocations
- great
- major
- avid
- a collector’s item
Synonyms
- gatherer
- accumulator
- hoarder
- curator
Antonyms
- discarder
- detractor
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'collection' (the items gathered).
- Incorrectly used as a verb.
- Not recognizing it has both positive (hobbyist) and negative (debt collector) meanings.