collaborate

[kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

verb (used without object)

collaborated, collaborating 

1. to work, one with another; cooperate, as on a literary work.

   They collaborated on a novel.

2. to cooperate with an enemy nation, especially with an enemy occupying one's country.

   He collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.

   Synonyms: abet, assist, join, collude

collaborate

/ kəˈlæbəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to work with another or others on a joint project

2. to cooperate as a traitor, esp with an enemy occupying one's own country

Other Word Forms

• collaborator noun
• collaborative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of collaborate¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Late Latin collabōrātus (past participle of collabōrāre), equivalent to col- col- ¹ + labor “work” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of collaborate¹

C19: from Late Latin collabōrāre, from Latin com- together + labōrāre to work

Example Sentences

Austrian Expressionists, including masters like Klimt and Schiele, “had no reputation outside of Austria then,” Jane told The Times, adding that Kallir built them up “by collaborating with museums and donating to museums.”

From Los Angeles Times

“After working with them on custom framing pieces for previous menus at Esmé, it was only natural to collaborate in a larger capacity for Table for Six.”

From Salon

There will always be those who collaborate in their own demise.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Hamas, its forces raided the neighbourhood to detain individuals accused of collaborating with Israel.

From BBC

The cases have since sparked widespread condemnation and concerns that East African governments could be collaborating to contain dissent.

From BBC

Related Words

• collude 
• conspire 
• cooperate 
• hook up 
• participate 

When To Use

What does collaborate mean?

Collaborate means to work together, especially on a goal or shared project.Collaborate is often used in a positive context to refer to two or more parties successfully working together on professional or artistic projects. It often implies more than just cooperation. When two or more people collaborate, they often share and develop each other’s ideas.The act of collaborating is called collaboration. Such a joint effort can be described with the adjective collaborative. People who collaborate are called collaborators.Collaborate can also be used in a much more specific way meaning to cooperate as a traitor with enemy forces in one’s own country. This is much less commonly used than its general sense.Example: The two musicians, who usually have very different styles, collaborated on the groundbreaking new album.