WordGarden.iocollectively
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /kəlˈɛktɪvli/
US
- /kəˈlɛktɪvli/
Meanings
Adverb
as a group or when considered together
Beyond the definition
Imagine an ant colony building a massive hill—each ant plays its part, but the hill rises collectively through their combined effort. That's what "collectively" means! It describes when a group of people or things do something together, as a unit. It's more than just everyone doing their own thing; it implies a shared action and outcome. You might say a team won a game collectively because everyone contributed to the victory, or that communities collectively decided on a new park design.
Think of it like a choir singing—each voice is individual, but the beautiful sound is created collectively. It emphasizes unity and shared responsibility.
"Collectively" describes how a group acts as a single entity, working together to achieve something or express an opinion. It's more than just "together"; it implies a unified effort where each member contributes to a common goal or outcome.
You might hear it used in situations involving decision-making: "The board members collectively decided to postpone the meeting." This means they all agreed, as a group, on that course of action. It's also frequently used when discussing shared feelings or experiences. For example: "We collectively breathed a sigh of relief when the storm passed."
"Collectively" can also highlight responsibility: "The team is collectively responsible for the project's success." This means everyone shares in both the rewards and any potential setbacks. It's important to note that it doesn't necessarily mean everyone agrees on every detail—only that they are acting as a unit, even if there were differing opinions behind the scenes.
Consider a school of fish moving in perfect synchronicity. Each fish is an individual, but their movement appears seamless and unified. That's the essence of acting collectively—a group functioning as one, achieving something through shared effort and responsibility. It's about the power of unity and the strength found in working together.
Examples
- 1
Workplace decision
The staff decided collectively to ask for better equipment.
- 2
Group complaint
The neighbors complained collectively instead of sending separate letters.
- 3
Shared name
The islands are collectively known as the Inner Hebrides.
- Patterncollectively known as + name
called by one name when considered together
- 4
Shared responsibility
The board is collectively responsible for the company's decisions.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Evidence summary
Taken collectively, the interviews suggest that morale is improving.
- Phrasetaken collectively
considered together
- 6
Combined effect
Collectively, these small changes saved us a lot of time.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- in aggregate
- en masse
- in concert
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- collectively known as
- collectively referred to as
- act collectively
- collectively responsible
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- collectivelyadverb