gather
/ˈɡæðə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡæðər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈga-t͟hər also ˈge-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡæð.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡæð.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
gather — verb
- gatherpresent simple I / you / we / they
- gathershe / she / it
- gatheredpast simple
- gathering-ing form
1. to bring together items or pieces of information that are spread across differen
to bring together items or pieces of information that are spread across different places or come from different sources
Jisoo gathered wild mushrooms from the forest for dinner.
gather + from + for + purpose
The young reporter gathered facts from several witnesses.
Evelyn gathered her scattered books from the desks and left the classroom quickly.
Minh gathered donations for the homeless shelter last weekend.
Wei gathered information about the company from news articles and reports before the job interview.
- collect
more general; 'collect' can be more systematic while 'gather' emphasises bringing scattered things together
- accumulate
more formal; implies gradual increase over time
- assemble
often used for people or parts of something; more organised
- scatter
to throw or spread things in different directions
文法句型
gather + noun phrase
gather + from + place/person
用法筆記
Commonly used with prepositions like 'from' (indicating source) or 'for' (indicating purpose). When picking crops or fruit, 'gather' implies collecting from a wide area rather than a single location.
常見錯誤
2. to pull someone towards you and hold them in your arms, usually to comfort or sh
to pull someone towards you and hold them in your arms, usually to comfort or show love
Antonia gathered the frightened child into her arms and comforted her.
gather + into one's arms
The old grandfather gathered his grandson close and told him a story.
Nora gathered the crying toddler into her arms and rocked him gently.
Wei gathered his little sister in a warm hug after she fell down.
文法句型
gather + someone + into one's arms
gather + someone + close
gather + someone + up
用法筆記
Differs from plain 'hug' or 'embrace' in that it often suggests a protective or caring motion — the person being gathered is often smaller, younger, or in need of comfort.
常見錯誤
3. to gradually become faster, stronger, or more powerful over time; used for physi
to gradually become faster, stronger, or more powerful over time; used for physical objects, natural forces, or abstract processes that build up intensity
The horse gathered speed as it galloped toward the final fence.
gather speed — fixed collocation
The storm gathered strength as it moved across the warm ocean.
The ball gathered speed as it rolled down the steep hill toward the fence.
The old train gathered speed slowly as it left the station.
- lose
as in 'lose speed' or 'lose momentum'
文法句型
gather + speed/strength/momentum/force
用法筆記
Subject is typically a vehicle, storm, process, or movement. Requires a noun complement such as speed, strength, force, or momentum. Intransitive uses (e.g. 'the car gathered') are ungrammatical in this sense.
常見錯誤
4. to bring together your inner resources — such as courage, strength, or energy —
to bring together your inner resources — such as courage, strength, or energy — in order to do something difficult, frightening, or demanding
Devika gathered all her courage and stepped onto the big stage.
gather courage — fixed collocation
Tariq gathered his strength for one final push to the finish line.
The tired players gathered their energy for the last quarter of the game.
Ayana gathered herself before giving the bad news to her parents.
文法句型
gather + courage/strength/energy
gather + oneself
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (COMPOSE ONESELF): this sense is about mustering strength FOR an upcoming challenge, whereas sense 5 is about regaining calm AFTER a shock. 'Gather oneself' can sometimes bridge both meanings depending on context.
常見錯誤
5. to make yourself calm and in control of your emotions after being shocked, upset
to make yourself calm and in control of your emotions after being shocked, upset, or nervous, especially before doing something that requires a clear mind
After the shocking phone call, Mizuki sat down and gathered herself.
gather oneself — collect one's emotions
Gabriel took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts before answering.
gather one's thoughts
After the scary call, the singer paused backstage to gather herself before going on stage.
Christopher gathered his wits after nearly falling off the ladder.
Élise gathered her composure and walked back into the meeting room.
- compose oneself
formal; specifically means regaining calm after being upset
- collect oneself
very similar; 'collect your thoughts' is a near-equivalent idiom
- pull oneself together
informal; can imply more effort or urgency
- panic
to lose control of your emotions completely
文法句型
gather + oneself
gather + one's + thoughts/wits/composure
用法筆記
Typically follows a shock, scare, or moment of emotional upset. The reflexive form 'gather oneself' is the most common pattern; 'gather one's thoughts' is also very frequent and can be used in less emotional contexts of simply needing to think clearly.
常見錯誤
6. for people or animals: to move from separate spots into a single place, often wi
for people or animals: to move from separate spots into a single place, often with each other
A large crowd gathered outside the theater to see the famous actor.
The whole family gathered around the dinner table every Sunday.
gather around + location
Thousands of fans gathered in the park for the free concert.
The sheep gathered under the tree to escape the midday heat.
Obi's friends gathered at the station to welcome him back home.
- assemble
more formal; often used for official meetings or groups
- congregate
more formal; suggests a larger number of people
- meet up
informal; less formal and planned
文法句型
gather + adverb/preposition (around, in, at, outside)
用法筆記
Can be used for both people and animals. 'Gather round/around' is a common phrasal use that often implies forming a circle facing inward. When the subject is a single person moving to join others, use 'join' or 'meet' instead.
常見錯誤
7. (of clouds, smoke, darkness, or stormy weather) to become thicker, denser, or mo
(of clouds, smoke, darkness, or stormy weather) to become thicker, denser, or more concentrated — for example, storm clouds gathering before a downpour, or evening shadows deepening as the sun sets.
Dark storm clouds gathered above the hills as the family rushed the laundry inside.
intransitive: clouds as subject, no object
The fog gathered around the harbour, making it hard for boats to see.
Thick grey smoke gathered under the ceiling of the burning kitchen.
Smoke from the wildfire gathered in the valley, turning the sky a dark orange.
- thicken
more direct physical sense; less common for feelings
- accumulate
more formal; suggests gradual build-up over time
- concentrate
suggests particles or elements moving closer together
用法筆記
Subject is typically a natural phenomenon (clouds, fog, smoke, darkness) or an abstract feeling (tension, unease). Not used for groups of people or animals — see sense 6 (COME TOGETHER).
常見錯誤
8. to understand or reach a conclusion based on indirect information, evidence, or
to understand or reach a conclusion based on indirect information, evidence, or hints rather than on a direct statement — for example, gathering from someone's tone that they are upset, or from test results that a treatment is working.
From the way Élise kept checking her watch, I gathered she was anxious to leave.
gather + that-clause for inferring from observation
The doctors gathered from the results that the treatment was working as expected.
I gather the meeting was postponed — nobody showed up at the usual time.
From scattered comments around the office, Renata gathered that her team disliked the new policy.
Watching the children's excited faces, Madison gathered that the surprise had been a success.
- misunderstand
to reach the wrong conclusion from the same clues
文法句型
gather + that-clause
gather + from + noun + that-clause
用法筆記
Most common in the structure gather (from X) that... The present-tense use (I gather) signals a tentative conclusion and is common in polite conversation.
常見錯誤
9. to pull thread through fabric and then tighten it so that the cloth forms small,
to pull thread through fabric and then tighten it so that the cloth forms small, soft folds or puckers, used in sewing and dressmaking to shape or decorate a garment.
Hana gathered the fabric at the waist to create a soft, flowing skirt.
transitive: gather + fabric + at + body part
The dressmaker gathered the sleeves at the shoulder to give the garment a fuller look.
Femi gathered the curtain's top edge before sewing it for a more elegant look.
Lakan carefully gathered the ruffled trim along the hem of the blouse.
文法句型
gather + fabric/garment + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
The object is usually a piece of fabric, a garment part (sleeve, waist, hem), or a decorative trim. Common in sewing patterns and dressmaking instructions.
10. to draw something you are wearing, or a loose fabric such as a blanket or shawl,
to draw something you are wearing, or a loose fabric such as a blanket or shawl, nearer to your body — for example, pulling your coat tight in a cold wind, or wrapping a blanket over your shoulders for warmth.
Sora gathered his coat around himself as the wind picked up on the hilltop.
gather + clothing + around + self (reflexive)
The old man gathered the blanket around his shoulders and settled into his chair.
Talia gathered the shawl around her neck to keep out the chilly evening air.
Christopher gathered his jacket tightly around him and hurried down the street.
- wrap
suggests covering completely; less specific about the pulling action
- pull close
more literal; common in everyday speech but not a single word
文法句型
gather + clothing + around + (yourself / body part)
用法筆記
Always involves pulling fabric toward oneself or another person. The preposition around is almost always used to show how the cloth wraps the body.
gather — noun
- gathersingular
- gathersplural
1. a small fold created in fabric when a thread is pulled tight, used mainly in dre
a small fold created in fabric when a thread is pulled tight, used mainly in dressmaking to shape or decorate a garment
The dressmaker sewed gathers at the waist of the wedding dress for a softer look.
collocation: small gathers / sew gathers
Tara pinned the gathers in place before stitching them to the skirt of the dress.
The museum display showed how 18th-century gowns used delicate gathers at the shoulders.
Minho adjusted the gathers on the curtain so the fabric hung evenly across the window.
A skirt with tiny gathers at the hip adds volume without feeling heavy.
文法句型
usually in plural: gathers
用法筆記
Frequently plural (gathers) when describing multiple folds across a seam or section of a garment. The verb sense (to gather cloth) is more common — this noun form is specific to sewing and dressmaking contexts.