collective

[kuh-lek-tiv]

adjective

1. formed by collection.

2. forming a whole; combined.

   the collective assets of a corporation and its subsidiaries.

3. of or characteristic of a group of individuals taken together.

   the collective wishes of the membership.

4. organized according to the principles of collectivism.

   a collective farm.

noun

1. collective noun.

2. a collective body; group.

3. a business, farm, etc., jointly owned and operated by the members of a group.

4. a unit of organization or the organization in a collectivist system.

collective

/ kəˈlɛktɪv /

adjective

1. formed or assembled by collection

2. forming a whole or aggregate

3. of, done by, or characteristic of individuals acting in cooperation

noun

1. 1. a cooperative enterprise or unit, such as a collective farm

   2. the members of such a cooperative

2. short for collective noun

Other Word Forms

• collectively adverb
• noncollective adjective
• uncollective adjective
• collectiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of collective¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English collectif (from Middle French ), from Latin collēctīvus, equivalent to collēct(us) (past participle of colligere; collect ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

League officials believe the exclusivity of one package would generate more collective revenue than the combination of 30 individual team deals.

From Los Angeles Times

It is one of many instrumental art collectives explored in the exhibition.

From BBC

Gay joined a collective of notable speakers the night of the center’s official launch, which took place at Central L.A. start-up gallery Giovanni’s Room and was co-hosted with the Los Angeles Review of Books.

From Los Angeles Times

While Man-su’s turn is homicidal, Park astutely considers whether his loss of collective support for other workers isn’t an even bigger moral failing.

From Salon

It was the collective gratitude for the privilege of witnessing a human artist take risks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• concerted 
• corporate 
• cumulative 
• mutual 
• shared www.thesaurus.com
• unified www.thesaurus.com