What does "collaborate" mean?

1. (to work together) to work with another person or group to create or produce something. 2. (to help an enemy) to help an enemy who has invaded or taken control of your country.

How do you use "collaborate"?

Usually followed by 'with' (people) or 'on' (tasks).

Is it correct to say "The two companies collaborated themselves on the project."?

No — say "The two companies collaborated on the project.". Collaborate is not a reflexive verb; you do not collaborate 'yourself'.

collaborate

US //kəˈɫæbɝˌeɪt// UK //kəlˈæbəɹˌeɪt// col·lab·o·rate

1 to work together (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to work with another person or group to create or produce something.

to work jointly on an activity or project to achieve a common goal. Intransitive, typically taking the preposition 'with' for partners and 'on' for projects.

Example

The two artists decided to collaborate on a new mural for the city park.

Example

Researchers from three different universities collaborated on the study to ensure a diverse range of data and perspectives.

Usage

Usually followed by 'with' (people) or 'on' (tasks).
- cooperate
- team up
- partner
- compete
- work alone
Pitfall

The two companies collaborated themselves on the project.

The two companies collaborated on the project.

Collaborate is not a reflexive verb; you do not collaborate 'yourself'.
2 to help an enemy (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to help an enemy who has invaded or taken control of your country.

to cooperate treasonably with an enemy, especially an occupying force in one's own country.

Example

During the war, some citizens were accused of choosing to collaborate with the invaders.

Example

The post-war tribunal sought to identify those who had actively collaborated with the regime during the four-year occupation.

Teacher's tip

This sense carries a very strong negative moral judgment and is much less common than the positive 'work together' sense.
- collude
- conspire
- resist

Origin

Back-formation from collaborator, from French collaborateur, or else modeled on French collaborer or directly from Late Latin collabōrātus, past participle of collabōrāre. Displaced native Old English efnwyrċan.