gather
gather — verb
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.
gather + for + beneficiary
Wei gathered information about the company from news articles and reports before the job interview.
- gather information
- gather data
- gather evidence
- gather resources
- gather donations
- 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
Grammar Patterns
gather + noun phrase
gather + from + place/person
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
gather + up — informal, picking up
Wei gathered his little sister in a warm hug after she fell down.
- gather in one's arms
- gather close
- gather up
Grammar Patterns
gather + someone + into one's arms
gather + someone + close
gather + someone + up
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
gather momentum — fixed collocation
The old train gathered speed slowly as it left the station.
- gather speed
- gather strength
- gather momentum
- gather force
- gather pace
- lose
as in 'lose speed' or 'lose momentum'
Grammar Patterns
gather + speed/strength/momentum/force
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
gather oneself — reflexive
- gather courage
- gather strength
- gather energy
- gather oneself
Grammar Patterns
gather + courage/strength/energy
gather + oneself
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
gather one's wits — fixed expression
Élise gathered her composure and walked back into the meeting room.
- gather oneself
- gather one's thoughts
- gather one's wits
- gather one's composure
- 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
Grammar Patterns
gather + oneself
gather + one's + thoughts/wits/composure
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
referring to animals, not people
Obi's friends gathered at the station to welcome him back home.
- gather around
- gather outside
- gather at
- crowd gathers
- people gather
- 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
Grammar Patterns
gather + adverb/preposition (around, in, at, outside)
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
abstract feeling as subject; intransitive
Smoke from the wildfire gathered in the valley, turning the sky a dark orange.
- storm clouds gather
- darkness gathers
- fog gathers
- tension gathers
- 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
Usage Note
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).
Common Mistakes
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.
gather (that) in present tense for tentative conclusion
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.
- I gather that...
- gather from the expression
- gather from the report
- misunderstand
to reach the wrong conclusion from the same clues
Grammar Patterns
gather + that-clause
gather + from + noun + that-clause
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- gather the fabric
- gather the waist
- gather the sleeve
- gathered skirt
Grammar Patterns
gather + fabric/garment + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
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.
- gather round
- gather around yourself
- gather the blanket
- gathered coat
- wrap
suggests covering completely; less specific about the pulling action
- pull close
more literal; common in everyday speech but not a single word
Grammar Patterns
gather + clothing + around + (yourself / body part)
Usage Note
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 round/around
phrasal verbif people gather round or gather around, they come together in a group, often forming a circle facing someone or something
The students gathered around the teacher to hear the announcement.
Everyone gathered round the table to see the birthday cake.
gather up
phrasal verbto collect things that are spread around and put them together; also, to pick someone up gently, especially a child
Justin gathered up the scattered toys and put them in the box.
Ingrid gathered up the baby and carried her to the car seat.
gather dust
idiomto remain unused or ignored for a long period of time, as if collecting dust
The old piano gathered dust in the corner of the attic for years.
Her new running shoes gathered dust in the closet after she lost interest.
collect/gather dust
idiomSomething is not being used and is just sitting in a place for a long time.
Maya's old camera has been gathering dust in the closet for years.
Why not sell that guitar that's collecting dust in your garage?
A person who frequently changes jobs or locations avoids responsibilities and does not accumulate wealth or close relationships.
Diego moved to a new city every year, believing a rolling stone gathers no moss.
My uncle never stayed in one job for long; a rolling stone gathers no moss, he'd say.
gather — noun
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.
collocation: delicate gathers
Minho adjusted the gathers on the curtain so the fabric hung evenly across the window.
used in home sewing context
A skirt with tiny gathers at the hip adds volume without feeling heavy.
- sew gathers
- delicate gathers
- tiny gathers
- pin gathers
- soft gathers
Grammar Patterns
usually in plural: gathers
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- gatheringnounB1
- gatherernounB2
- regatherverbC1
- gatheredadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Gather and collect both mean bringing things together, but gather emphasises picking up scattered items (e.g., "gather wild mushrooms"), while collect often implies a more systematic or deliberate process ("collect stamps for a hobby"). Assemble is used when putting separate parts or people together into an organised whole ("assemble a team"), suggesting each part has a role. Accumulate focuses on gradual piling up over time ("accumulate wealth") and is more abstract. Congregate applies specifically to people or animals gathering in a group ("fans congregated outside the stadium") and is more formal than gather. Use gather for everyday collecting of physical things or information; use collect for hobbies and systematic efforts; use assemble for construction or meetings; use accumulate for gradual increase; and use congregate for crowds or groups.
Common collocations
Etymology
Gather comes from Old English gaderian, meaning "to bring together, unite, or collect." It traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *gadurōną ("to bring together"), related to the Old English word gæd ("fellowship, companionship"). The sense of "infer or conclude from clues" developed later, around the 1500s, while the sewing meaning (to pull fabric into folds) emerged in the 1600s.