collaborate

verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

intransitive verb

1

: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

An international team of scientists collaborated on the study.

2

: to cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and especially an occupying force

suspected of collaborating with the enemy

3

: to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected

The two schools collaborate on library services.

collaboration

kə-ˌla-bə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

collaborative

kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrā-tiv

-b(ə-)rə- 

adjective or noun

collaboratively

kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrā-tiv-lē 

-b(ə-)rə-

adverb

Did you know?

The Latin prefix com-, meaning "with, together, or jointly," is a bit of a chameleon—it has a habit of changing its appearance depending on what it's next to. For example, if the word it precedes begins with l, com- becomes col-. In the case of collaborate, com- teamed up with the verb laborare ("to labor") to form the Late Latin word collaborare ("to labor together"). Be careful not to confuse collaborate with corroborate, another com- relative. This word was formed when com- (this time shape-shifting to cor-) joined forces with the Latin word robur ("strength"). Together, by way of the Latin verb corroborare, they created the meaning "to support or help prove (a statement, theory, etc.) by providing information or evidence," which carried over into the English word corroborate.

Synonyms

• cooperate
• unite

Examples of collaborate in a Sentence

The two companies agreed to collaborate.

He was suspected of collaborating with the occupying army.

Recent Examples on the Web

The order also directs CDPHE to collaborate with other state agencies and offices to identify and remove barriers to vaccination, ensure state health insurance plans and Medicaid cover COVID-19 vaccines and review and revise rules to ensure pharmacies can provide COVID-19 vaccines. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025

These short stories about scientists working at the leading edge of climate microbiology reveal the vital role microbes play in our biosphere and climate system, and illuminate new possibilities for collaborating with these incredible natural chemists. —Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

Ike Barinholtz, who previously collaborated with Rogen and Goldberg on projects like Neighbors and The Disaster Artist, plays Sal, the vice president of production at the fictional Continental Studios. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025

After working as a corporate event planner for nearly a decade, Nate and Laura began collaborating in 2019. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin collaboratus, past participle of collaborare to labor together, from Latin com- + laborare to labor — more at labor

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for collaborate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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Kids Definition

collaborate

verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

1

: to work with others (as in writing a book)

2

: to cooperate with an enemy force that has taken over one's country

collaboration

kə-ˌlab-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

collaborationist

-sh(ə-)nəst

noun

collaborator

kə-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

collaborate

intransitive verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

: to work jointly with others in some endeavor