English Reference
Adverb

collectively

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /kəˈɫɛktɪvɫi/ UK /kəlˈɛktɪvli/ col·lec·tive·ly

adv.done by a group of people together rather than by one person alone. You use this when everyone in a group shares the same action or responsibility.

adv.in a manner involving all members of a group as a whole. Often used to describe shared responsibility, joint action, or the total sum of a group's efforts.


SIMPLE

The team collectively decided to change the project plan.

CONTEXTUAL

The neighbors collectively agreed to pay for the repairs to the shared fence.

COMPLEX

While individual contributions varied, the department was collectively responsible for the success of the annual gala, which raised record funds for the charity.

Usage

Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of a clause to emphasize group unity.

Usage collectively known · collectively know

He sees the current moment as one in which “we’re trying to discover where we want to go collectively as a species”.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

The Italian military police said that art collectively valued at more than $10 million had been found five months after being taken in a nighttime heist near Parma.

The New York Times· 14 Aug 2026

Common in science writing


From collective + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated