Collaborate: Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：work together (collaborate)

collaborate 🔊

/kəˈlæbəreɪt/

To work together with someone on a shared task or project.

Two students collaborate on a poster project at a library table

work together 🔊

➕

/wɜːrk təˈɡɛðər/

To jointly engage with one or more people in a shared intellectual or productive activity.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'collaborare': 'com-' (together) + 'laborare' (to work).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'col' (together) + 'labor' (work) — people laboring together on a task.

📖 Example

For our science project, we decided to collaborate with a local university. 🔊 For our science project, we decided to collaborate with a local university.

🔗 Collocations

collaborate with – Work jointly with someone

collaborate on – Work together on a specific project or task

collaborate closely – Work in a tight, cooperative manner

🔄 Synonyms

cooperate (v.) – To act or work together for a common purpose

team up (phr. v.) – To join with others to form a group for a task

work together (phr.) – To combine efforts toward a shared goal

🚫 Antonyms

compete (v.) – To strive against others to gain something

oppose (v.) – To act against or resist someone or something

hinder (v.) – To create obstacles that delay or prevent progress

🌱 Derivatives

collaboration (n.) – The act of working together

collaborative (adj.) – Involving joint effort

collaborator (n.) – A person who works with others

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'collaborare', it entered English in the 19th century, frequently used in academic and business contexts to emphasize joint effort.