# collected

/kəˈɫɛktəd/ (US) · /kəlˈɛktɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/collected
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. calm and controlled

adjective · CEFR B2

calm and in control of your emotions, especially in a difficult situation.

For teachers: possessing or exhibiting self-control and composure; emotionally stable under pressure.

- Even though the fire alarm was loud, the teacher stayed collected and led the students outside.
- Despite the aggressive questioning from the press, the minister remained remarkably collected throughout the entire briefing.

Usage: often used in the pair 'calm and collected'

### 3. brought together

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

brought together into one book or group.

For teachers: assembled into a single volume or a unified group.

- The library has the collected works of William Shakespeare on the top shelf.
- The professor's collected essays provide a comprehensive overview of her contributions to the field of linguistics over the last thirty years.

## Examples

- She collected all the old newspapers for recycling.
- The teacher collected the students' exam papers as soon as the timer went off.
- Over several decades, the museum collected hundreds of rare artifacts that provide a comprehensive look at the region's pre-colonial history.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.