collaborate

/kəˈlæbəreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈlæbəreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt/ (ame, mw)

collaborate — verb

  • collaboratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • collaborateshe / she / it
  • collaboratedpast simple
  • collaborating-ing form

1. To join with another person or group in a shared effort to create, develop, or c

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

To join with another person or group in a shared effort to create, develop, or carry out a project, piece of work, or goal.

例句

The two artists collaborated on a mural for the city library.

collaborate + on + project

Leila and Kofi collaborated with the design team on the new app interface.

collaborate + with + someone + on + something

同義詞
  • cooperate

    Broader term — can mean simply being helpful or compliant, not necessarily working jointly on the same task

  • team up

    More informal, often used for temporarily joining forces on a specific project

  • join forces

    Suggests combining resources or effort for a common aim, often in business or military contexts

  • partner

    More formal and business-oriented; implies a structured, often long-term relationship

反義詞

文法句型

collaborate + with + someone

collaborate + on + something

collaborate + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Frequently paired with prepositions: 'with' introduces the person or group, and 'on' introduces the task or project. Can also be followed by a 'to'-infinitive to state the shared goal. The adverb 'closely' is a common modifier.

常見錯誤

❌We collaborated together on the report.
✅We collaborated on the report.
💡'Together' is redundant because 'collaborate' already means working jointly.
❌I collaborated with my friend to finish the homework.
✅My friend and I collaborated on the science fair project.
💡'Collaborate' implies a significant joint effort; for everyday help, use 'work with' or 'help.'

2. To willingly assist or cooperate with an enemy force that has occupied your own

2.動詞不及物
釋義

To willingly assist or cooperate with an enemy force that has occupied your own country, especially during a war — an act viewed as treason.

例句

During the war, anyone who collaborated with the occupying army faced trial after liberation.

negative political sense: collaborate with + occupying force

The documentary shows how some local officials secretly collaborated with the invading forces.

同義詞
  • collude

    Also negative but broader — can mean secret cooperation for deceitful purposes beyond wartime

  • fraternize

    Suggests friendly association with an enemy, not necessarily active assistance

  • consort with the enemy

    An idiomatic expression with the same meaning, used especially in historical and legal contexts

反義詞
  • resist

    To oppose the enemy rather than assist it

文法句型

collaborate + with + enemy / occupying force

用法筆記

This sense carries a strongly negative moral judgment — it implies betrayal of one's own country. Distinguish from sense 1 (WORK WITH) by the wartime/occupation context: the object of 'collaborate with' here is always an enemy or occupying force.

常見錯誤

❌He collaborated with the new manager on the project.
✅He worked with the new manager on the project.
💡Do not use the negative 'enemy' sense for everyday workplace situations; use 'work with' or 'cooperate.'