recollection
gb/ɹˌɛkəlˈɛkʃən/ us/ɹˌɛkəlˈɛkʃən/
B2
English
~ 3900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
ability to remember something
The ability to remember something that happened before.
Usage pattern:
have [no/some/a clear] recollection of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recollection' with 'recognition'; 'recollection' is about remembering from memory, while 'recognition' is about identifying something you see or hear now.
Synonyms
memory (More general term for the mental capacity to store and recall information.)
Antonyms
forgetfulness (Refers to the inability to remember things.)
Collocations
clear recollection
|vivid recollection
|faint recollection
|recollection of events
|have no recollection
Themes
memory
|psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I have no recollection of meeting her before.
- His vivid recollection of the accident helped the investigation.
- She had only a faint recollection of her early childhood.
- The witness gave a detailed recollection of the events.
- Over time, his recollection of the details faded.
Learner examples
- I have no recollection of that day.
- She has a clear recollection of her first teacher.
- He has only a faint recollection of the trip.
- My recollection of the story is not very good.
Noun
B2
entity
2
specific thing remembered
A specific thing that you remember from the past.
Usage pattern:
share [a/one's] recollection of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'memory' instead of 'recollection' when referring to a specific remembered event; 'recollection' can sound slightly more formal or deliberate.
Synonyms
remembrance (Often used in formal or literary contexts for a specific memory.)
Antonyms
oblivion (The state of being completely forgotten.)
Collocations
fond recollection
|childhood recollection
|share a recollection
|earliest recollection
Themes
memory
|storytelling
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- One of my fondest recollections is our family picnic by the lake.
- Her earliest recollection is of playing in the garden.
- He shared his recollections of working abroad.
- The book is full of personal recollections from the author.
Learner examples
- My earliest recollection is my first day at school.
- She shared a fond recollection from her childhood.
- He told us a recollection about his trip.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recollection
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛkəlˈɛkʃən/
US/ɹˌɛkəlˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - col - lec - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (lec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: recollection
- Plural: recollection, recollections
Word family
Forms
recollections
noun
Core family
recollect
verb B2
Expressions
to the best of my recollection
1/tə ðə bˈɛst əv mˈaɪ ɹˌɛkəlˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
as far as I remember
Used to say something is true based on what you remember, but you are not completely sure.
Examples
- To the best of my recollection, we met in 2010.
- To the best of my recollection, she never visited Paris.
bear in mind
1/bˈɛɹ ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Remember or consider something important
To remember or think about something important when you do something.
Examples
- Bear in mind that prices may change.
- You should bear in mind his lack of experience.
bear in mind
2/bˈɛɹ ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Remember and consider information
To remember something when you are thinking or deciding about something else.
Examples
- Bear in mind that prices may change without notice.
- You should bear in mind how long the trip takes before agreeing.
bear in mind
3/bˈɛɹ ˈɪn mˈaɪnd/
idiom
remember and consider something
To remember and think about something when you are doing or deciding something else.
Examples
- Bear in mind that traffic will be heavy during rush hour.
- You should bear in mind his lack of experience when assigning tasks.