recollect

American  

[rek-uh-lekt] / ˌrɛk əˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to recall to mind; recover knowledge of by memory; remember.

   Antonyms:

   forget

2. to absorb (oneself ) in spiritual meditation, especially during prayer.

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verb (used without object)

1. to have a recollection; remember.

recollect British  

/ ˌrɛkəˈlɛkt /

verb

1. (when tr, often takes a clause as object) to recall from memory; remember

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Related Words

See remember.

Other Word Forms

• misrecollect verb
• nonrecollective adjective
• recollective adjective
• recollectively adverb
• recollectiveness noun
• self-recollective adjective
• unrecollective adjective

Etymology

Origin of recollect

First recorded in 1550–60; from Medieval Latin recollēctus, past participle of recolligere “to remember, recollect” ( Latin: “to gather up again”); re-, collect ¹

Example Sentences

We made a registry to allow our friends and family to help us recollect the basics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

I recollect that my mother left her jewelry box and its contents to me.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 4, 2025

While aphantasics think about memories, other people are able to recollect and live those memories.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2024

He additionally shared that he could recollect "one conversation" in which Wade said he was romantically involved with Willis.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2024

“Are you? I think I recollect though, that you read with his father?”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens