collaborate
verb
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.
Examples of collaborate in a Sentence
Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
The two schools have collaborated extensively on research including clean energy and climate change for decades.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Since the Pat Brown era, California has always collaborated in securing its electricity.
—Michael Wara, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
Fort Worth chef Jenna Kinard and her husband, Micah Kinard, are collaborating with Kansas City restaurateur Christian Moscoso on the dining and drinking concepts.
—Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for collaborate
Cite this Entry
“Collaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaborate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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collaborate
verb
Legal Definition
collaborate
intransitive verb
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