collocate Definition
a word that is often used with another word or words in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives.
Using collocate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "collocate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
'Strong tea' and 'heavy rain' are common collocates in English.
Example
In English, we say 'make a decision' rather than 'do a decision' because 'make' is the collocate for 'decision.'
Example
The collocation 'fast food' is used more frequently than 'quick food.'
collocate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for collocate
- lexical unit
- word combination
Phrases with collocate
adverb collocations
a group of words consisting of an adverb and an adjective or verb that are often used together in a particular order
Example
Examples of adverb collocations include 'deeply disappointed,' 'highly unlikely,' and 'completely satisfied.'
verb collocations
a group of words consisting of a verb and a noun or adjective that are often used together in a particular order
Example
Examples of verb collocations include 'take a shower,' 'make a mistake,' and 'give a speech.'
noun collocations
a group of words consisting of a noun and an adjective or another noun that are often used together in a particular order
Example
Examples of noun collocations include 'heavy rain,' 'strong tea,' and 'bright idea.'
Summary: collocate in Brief
'Collocate' [ˈkɒləkeɪt] refers to a word that is often used with another word or words in a way that sounds natural to native speakers. It is a lexical unit that is commonly used in English, such as 'make a decision' or 'fast food.' Collocations can be categorized into adverb, verb, and noun collocations.
