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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Contribute: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：give or donate (contribute)

contribute 🔊

/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/

To give something like money, time, or effort to help make something happen or succeed.

Contribute meaning illustrated by people donating to a community fund.

give or donate 🔊

➕

/ɡɪv ɔːr dəʊˈneɪt/

To voluntarily provide something, such as money, resources, time, or effort, to support a cause, project, or group.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'contribuere' ('con-' together + 'tribuere' to give). Means 'give together'.

💡 Mnemonic

con-TRIB-ute sounds like 'tribute' (a gift), so you GIVE something as part of a group effort.

📖 Example

She decided to contribute 10% of her monthly salary to a children's education charity. 🔊 She made the choice to donate ten percent of her monthly income to support a charity focused on children's education.

🔗 Collocations

contribute to – to give something to a common fund or effort

contribute money – to donate financial resources

contribute time – to volunteer or donate one's time

🔄 Synonyms

donate (v.) – To give something, especially money or goods, for a charitable cause.

provide (v.) – To make something available for use.

chip in (v.) – An informal phrase meaning to contribute money or help.

🚫 Antonyms

withhold (v.) – To refuse to give something that is due or requested.

take away () – To remove something, the opposite of adding or contributing.

🌱 Derivatives

contribution (n.) – Something that is given or added; a gift or donation.

contributor (n.) – A person or thing that contributes something.

contributory (adj.) – Playing a part in bringing something about.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'contribuere', entering English via French. Historically linked to paying taxes or levies together. Today, it's a cornerstone of civic and academic language, describing individual input to collective endeavors like charity, research papers (listed as a 'contributor'), or open-source projects.

Meaning 2：be a factor (contribute)

contribute 🔊

/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/

To be one of the reasons that something happens, but not the only reason.

Contribute as a factor shown in a team brainstorming session.

be a factor 🔊

➕

/biː ə ˈfæktər/

To be one of several elements or factors that help to cause or bring about a particular result or situation.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Regular exercise and a balanced diet both contribute to maintaining good health. 🔊 Consistent physical activity and a nutritious eating plan are both factors that help in preserving one's wellbeing.

🔗 Collocations

contribute to – to be a factor in causing something

contribute significantly – to be a major factor

factors that contribute – elements that help cause a situation

🔄 Synonyms

lead to (phrasal v.) – To result in or cause something to happen.

result in (phrasal v.) – To have a specified end or consequence.

play a part in (idiom) – To be one of the causes of something.

🚫 Antonyms

prevent (v.) – To stop something from happening.

hinder (v.) – To create difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.