ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gather

v. · n.
US //ˈɡæðɝ// UK //ɡˈæðɐ// gath·er
  1. 1 to come together (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to come together in a group, or to bring people together.

    to come together or bring individuals together into a group or assembly.

    Example

    A small crowd began to gather outside the stadium before the gates opened.

    Example

    The local community gathered in the town square to protest the proposed demolition of the historic library.
  2. 2 to collect things (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to pick up or collect things from different places.

    to collect or harvest items from various locations or sources.

    Example

    The children spent the afternoon gathering seashells along the beach.

    Example

    Researchers spent several months gathering data from various international clinics to ensure the study was statistically significant.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to understand or infer (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to believe something is true because of the information you have.

    to conclude or infer information from evidence or from what has been said.

    Example

    I gather from your email that you are not happy with the new schedule.

    Example

    From the somber tone of the meeting, I gather that the quarterly results were far worse than the board had anticipated.

    Usage

    Often used in the first person as 'I gather that...'
  2. 4 to increase in speed or strength (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move faster or become stronger over time.

    to increase in speed, force, or momentum.

    Example

    The car began to gather speed as it went down the hill.

    Example

    The political movement started to gather momentum after the televised debate, attracting thousands of new supporters within days.
  3. 5 to pull fabric together (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to pull cloth into small folds using a thread.

    to draw fabric into small folds by pulling a thread through it.

    Example

    She gathered the fabric at the waist to make the skirt look fuller.

    Example

    The dressmaker carefully gathered the silk at the shoulder to create a delicate, draped effect for the evening gown.
    • pucker
    • pleat
  4. 6 a fold in fabric (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a small fold in cloth made by pulling a thread.

    a small fold or pucker in fabric created by drawing a thread through it.

    Example

    The gathers at the top of the curtains made them hang beautifully.

    Example

    The designer used intricate gathers along the bodice to add texture and volume to the otherwise simple garment.
Origin

From Middle English gaderen, from Old English gaderian (“to gather, assemble”), from Proto-West Germanic gadurōn (“to bring together, unite, gather”), from Proto-Indo-European gʰedʰ- (“to unite, assemble, keep”).

Word family
Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference