collect
gb/kəlˈɛkt/ us/kəlˈɛkt/
A2
English
~ 1400
összegyűjt, összpontosít, összeszed, összevon, elhoz, átvesz, beszed, behajt, gyűjt, összeszedi magát, összeszedi a gondolatait
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to collect [things] [from a place]
She collects coins from different countries.
Különböző országokból származó érméket gyűjt össze.
Please collect all the chairs after the meeting.
Kérlek, a megbeszélés után gyűjtsd össze az összes széket.
We need to collect signatures for the petition.
The teacher collected the homework at the end of class.
Learner examples
I collect books from the store.
Könyveket gyűjtök össze a boltból.
He collects old photos.
Régi fényképeket gyűjt össze.
They collect flowers from the garden.
Please collect your things before you leave.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'collect' with 'pick up'. 'Pick up' can mean to lift something, while 'collect' means to gather several items together.
Meaning
Bring things together
Collocations
collect stamps
|collect data
|collect garbage
|collect payment
|collect information
Synonyms
gather (Often used for bringing things together, but can sound less formal or deliberate than 'collect'.)
Antonyms
disperse (Means to spread things out rather than bring them together.)
Themes
daily life
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To bring things or people into one place.
To bring objects or people together into one place or group.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to collect [someone/something] [from a place]
I have to collect my daughter from school at 3 p.m.
Délután háromkor el kell hoznom a lányomat az iskolából.
You can collect your order from the store tomorrow.
A rendelésedet holnap átveheted az üzletben.
She collected her suitcase from the baggage claim.
Learner examples
I will collect my friend from the airport.
El fogom hozni a barátomat a repülőtérről.
He collects the package from the post office.
Átveszi a csomagot a postán.
They collect their tickets at the desk.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'bring' instead of 'collect'. 'Bring' focuses on movement toward the speaker, while 'collect' focuses on going to get something and returning with it.
Meaning
Go and bring back
Collocations
collect a child from school
|collect luggage
|collect a parcel
Synonyms
pick up ('Pick up' is more common in everyday speech, especially in American English, for collecting people or things.)
Antonyms
drop off (Means to take someone or something to a place, opposite of collecting them.)
Themes
daily life
|transportation
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go somewhere to get a person or thing and bring them back.
To go to a place and bring someone or something away from it.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to collect [money/payment/tax]
The landlord collects rent on the first of every month.
A bérbeadó minden hónap elsején szedi be a lakbért.
They collect taxes from all residents.
Minden lakostól beszedik az adót.
She collected her winnings after the game.
Learner examples
He collects rent every month.
Minden hónapban beszedi a lakbért.
The shop collects money from customers.
A bolt pénzt szed be a vásárlóktól.
They collect payment after the work is done.
Meaning
Receive money owed
Collocations
collect rent
|collect taxes
|collect payment
Synonyms
receive ('Receive' is more general; 'collect' implies an active effort to get the payment.)
Antonyms
pay (The opposite action of giving money rather than receiving it.)
Themes
business
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To get money that someone must pay you.
To receive money that is owed or due, such as payment for services or debts.
VERB
A2
4
gyűjt
A2
Usage pattern:
to collect [type of object]
He collects vintage stamps from around the world.
A világ minden tájáról gyűjt régi bélyegeket.
She has been collecting rare books for years.
Évek óta ritka könyveket gyűjt.
Some people collect action figures.
Learner examples
I collect old coins.
Régi érméket gyűjtök.
She collects dolls.
Babákat gyűjt.
They collect postcards from every city they visit.
Meaning
Gather as a hobby
Collocations
collect stamps
|collect coins
|collect art
Synonyms
accumulate ('Accumulate' is more formal and not necessarily for hobbies.)
Antonyms
discard (Means to throw away rather than keep items.)
Themes
hobbies
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To get and keep many things of one kind for fun.
To acquire and keep objects of a particular type over time as a hobby or interest.
VERB
B2
5
Usage pattern:
to collect oneself/yourself before [doing something]
She paused to collect herself before speaking.
Megállt egy pillanatra, hogy összeszedje magát, mielőtt megszólalt.
He needed a moment to collect his thoughts after hearing the news.
Szüksége volt egy pillanatra, hogy összeszedje a gondolatait, miután meghallotta a hírt.
Take a deep breath and collect yourself.
Learner examples
I need to collect myself before I talk.
Össze kell szednem magam, mielőtt megszólalok.
He collects his thoughts before he answers.
Összeszedi a gondolatait, mielőtt válaszol.
She stops to collect herself.
Meaning
Regain emotional control
Collocations
collect yourself
|collect my thoughts
Synonyms
compose oneself ('Compose oneself' is slightly more formal but similar in meaning.)
Antonyms
lose control (Means to fail to remain calm or focused.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make yourself calm and think clearly again after feeling upset or surprised.
To calm oneself and regain mental focus or emotional control, often after shock or surprise.
Grammar
Dictionary form
collect
IPA
GB/kəlˈɛkt/
US/kəlˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
col - lect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: collect
- 3rd Person Singular: collects
- Present Participle: collecting
- Past: collected
Word family
Forms
collects
verb
collecting
verb
collected
verb
Core family
collection
noun A2
collector
noun B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
uncollected
adjective
Expressions
collect dust
1/kəlˈɛkt dˈʌst/
idiom
Remain unused for long time
To stay in one place without being used for a long time.
Examples
- His guitar has been collecting dust in the corner for years.
- The old books just sit there collecting dust.
collect one's thoughts
1/kəlˈɛkt wˈʌnz θˈɔts/
fixed phrase
Organize ideas mentally
To take time to think clearly before you speak or act.
Examples
- Please give me a minute to collect my thoughts before I respond.
- After the interruption, she had to collect her thoughts again.
collect oneself
1/kəlˈɛkt wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Calm down and refocus
To make yourself calm and ready before you do something important.
Examples
- She took a moment to collect herself before answering the question.
- He tried to collect himself after the shocking news.