gathered

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   Came together in one place or brought people or things together.

   Grammar: Can be used with an object: 'She gathered the children.' Or without an object: 'The crowd gathered.'

   Patterns

   • gather someone/something
   • gather together
   • gather around something

   The family gathered in the living room for the announcement.

   She gathered her notes and left the classroom.

   A crowd gathered outside the stadium before the match.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Collected information or things gradually over time.

   Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns like 'information', 'evidence', or 'data'.

   Patterns

   • gather information
   • gather evidence
   • gather data

   The researcher gathered data from hundreds of participants.

   He gathered enough evidence to support his claim.

   We gathered a lot of useful feedback from the survey.

3. 3verbtransitivetechnical

   Pulled fabric into small folds by sewing or drawing threads.

   Grammar: Usually passive or used with 'at the waist', 'at the neck', etc.

   Patterns

   • gather fabric
   • gathered at the waist

   The skirt is gathered at the waist to create a fuller shape.

   She gathered the curtain fabric before sewing it.

4. 4verbtransitive

   Understood or concluded something from what was said or done.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'that' clause: 'I gather that you are leaving.'

   Patterns

   • gather that
   • gather from something

   I gather from your tone that you are not happy with the plan.

   She gathered that the meeting had been canceled.

Word forms

Common combinations

gather around

The students gathered around the teacher to see the experiment.

gather speed

The train began to gather speed as it left the station.

gather dust

The old books just gathered dust on the shelf.

gather together

We gathered together all the materials we needed for the project.

gather information

She gathered information from several online sources.

Synonyms and how they differ

collect

Focuses on bringing items together, often as a hobby or for a purpose; 'gather' is more general and can also mean coming together as a group.

assemble

Suggests a more formal or organized bringing together of people or parts; 'gather' is more everyday and can be unplanned.

accumulate

Emphasizes gradual increase over time; 'gather' can also mean a single act of bringing together.

Opposites

Word family

gathering noun

A meeting or party where people come together.

gatherer noun

A person who collects things, especially food in traditional societies.

Commonly confused: gathered or together?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “gathered”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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