collector

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collector" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who collects items, such as stamps, coins, or art, or to describe a device that gathers or accumulates something. Example: "As a passionate collector of vintage vinyl records, she spends her weekends searching for rare finds at local flea markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paul Rosenberg, French art dealer and collector The Paris-based art dealer who represented Picasso, Matisse and Braque.

The Guardian

OnYong's descendants believe the sugar bowl remains in a private Canberra collection; the purported collector has never returned my calls.

The Guardian

But the DOE is acting like a debt collector for an unscrupulous lender instead of helping swindled students.

The Guardian - Opinion

— an enthusiastic collector of couture, of paintings and, most of all, of jewels.

The Guardian - Film

At 60 years of age, Claude became a garbage collector, earning $26,000 a year, with some benefits and no retirement in sight.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this film, an art collector guides an unseen interviewer around six paintings by Frédéric Tonnerre in an attempt to solve the mystery of a missing seventh painting.

The Guardian - Film

The resulting article was illustrated by some of the paintings and a shot of the Gloucestershire country house where they had been hidden for many years by a reclusive collector.

The Guardian - Arts

Shoes owned by both the famous – Marilyn Monroe and Queen Victoria, to name two – and the collector will be included.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually Bech is shipped off to a Caribbean resort to sign thousands of collector copies of the novel he wrote 30 years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

After leaving Sony, she sold the painting to a private collector who has now brought the picture to Budapest for sale by auction.

The Guardian

Hildebrand Gurlitt, German art dealer and collector Gurlitt was sacked from his job as a museum director in the early 1920s after staging contemporary art exhibitions considered "degenerate" and banned by the Nazis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone who collects as a hobby, specify the type of items they collect (e.g., "stamp collector", "art collector") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "collector" without specifying what is being collected, especially in formal writing. For example, instead of "He is a collector", write "He is a stamp collector" or "He is a debt collector" for better context.

Linguistic Context

The word "collector" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a person or entity that gathers, accumulates, or retrieves something. As Ludwig AI points out, it can denote someone who collects items as a hobby or someone employed to collect payments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "collector" is a common noun that describes someone or something that gathers or accumulates items or payments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. Its frequency is very common, appearing in diverse fields such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and the Arts. Understanding the specific context is key to using "collector" effectively, as it can refer to an avid hobbyist, a professional in finance, or even a component in a technical system. While alternatives like "gatherer" or "accumulator" exist, "collector" remains a versatile and widely understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gatherer

Focuses on the act of bringing things together from different places.

accumulator

Emphasizes the gradual accumulation of items over time.

assembler

Highlights the act of putting together different parts to form a collection.

amasser

Implies accumulating a large quantity of something, often wealth or possessions.

compilator

Suggests bringing together information or writings from various sources.

anthologist

Specifically refers to someone who compiles a collection of writings or poems.

tax official

Specifically refers to someone in charge of collecting taxes.

revenue agent

Alternative to tax official with a slightly more formal tone.

garbageman

Specifically relates to trash and waste collection and removal.

hoarder

Suggests an excessive accumulation of items, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How is the term "collector" used in a sentence?

The term "collector" can be used to describe someone who gathers items as a hobby, like "She is an avid "stamp collector"", or someone who collects payments, like "He works as a "tax collector"".

What are some alternative words for "collector"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gatherer", "accumulator", or "assembler".

What is the difference between "collector" and "hoarder"?

While both terms involve accumulating items, a "collector" typically focuses on specific items of interest and organizes them, while a "hoarder" accumulates items excessively and often without organization, leading to clutter and potential health hazards.

What does it mean to be an "art collector"?

An "art collector" is someone who acquires and collects works of art, often for personal enjoyment, investment, or historical preservation. Many "art collectors" donate or lend pieces to museums.