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
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Additionally, County Executive David Crowley's office has collaborated with the county's human resources division to create internal procedures for employees.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Stable Hand frequently collaborates with local businesses like Hello Uncle and Rowan Coffee.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
To make the costume actually fit for a superhero, Carter collaborated with someone from the Boston Ballet, adding gussets for ease of movement.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.
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collaborate
verb
Legal Definition
collaborate
intransitive verb
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