Word
collaborative
Phoneticscol·lab·o·ra·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈɫæbɝˌeɪtɪv/
UK/kəlˈæbɹətˌɪv/
Definitions
01working together
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. involving two or more people or groups working together to achieve something.
adj. produced by or involving two or more parties working together toward a common goal.
“The final report was a collaborative effort between the marketing and sales teams.”
“The research paper was the result of a collaborative project involving three international universities and several private laboratories.”
Usage
Often used with nouns like 'effort', 'project', 'approach', or 'environment'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a cooperative group
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Academic
n. a group of people or companies that work together on a specific project.
n. a cooperative arrangement or an organized group of individuals or entities collaborating toward a specific objective.
“The artists formed a collaborative to share studio space and gallery costs.”
“The regional healthcare collaborative was established to streamline patient data sharing across several independent hospital networks.”
Teaching tip
While the adjective is common at B2, the noun use is more specialized and often found in professional or artistic contexts.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“From there, classmates formed collaborative teams to advance the strongest concepts.” “Among his recommendations are involving children in collaborative problem solving and giving them opportunities to 'reset', an approach he believes works better than punishment.” “Professor Noemi Procopio, Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Lancashire, contributed to the international collaborative project.” Etymology
From collaborate + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/collaborative