Collaborator: meaning, definitions and examples

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collaborator

[kəˈlabəˌreɪtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

work

A person who works jointly on an activity or project.

Synonyms

associate, colleague, partner.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
collaborator	Used when referring to someone you work with on specific projects or tasks, often implying a more temporary or project-based relationship. She is my collaborator on the research project about climate change. Artists and scientists often find valuable collaborators outside their usual fields.
partner	Can imply a closer, long-term, or more formal working relationship, often in a business or professional context. Could also refer to someone who shares ownership or significant stake in a business. He is my business partner and has been for over a decade. Our company partnered with a tech startup to develop new software.
associate	Typically used in a professional or business setting, referring to someone you work with, possibly in a subordinate role, or someone who is part of the same organization. He is an associate at the law firm. Our new associate will help us with administrative tasks.
colleague	General term for someone you work with, usually in the same organization or profession. Often implies a more equal standing. She invited several of her colleagues to the dinner party. My colleagues and I are working on improving company policies.

Examples of usage

He is a key collaborator on the research project.
The team of collaborators worked together to achieve success.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

crime

A person who cooperates traitorously with an enemy.

Synonyms

double agent, informant, traitor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
collaborator	This can be used to describe someone working together with another person or group on a project or goal. It's often a neutral term. Sarah is a wonderful collaborator on our new marketing campaign. As a collaborator, John has brought many innovative ideas to the team.
traitor	This word describes someone who betrays their country, friends, or cause. It has a strong negative connotation. Judas Iscariot is a famous traitor in history and religion. The general was labeled a traitor after selling secret military plans to the enemy.
informant	Typically refers to someone who provides information, often secretly, to authorities or organizations. It can carry a slightly negative connotation. The police relied on an informant to gather intel on the gang. In the film, an informant reveals the hidden criminal activities to the detective.
double agent	This term is used in espionage to describe someone who pretends to spy for one side while actually spying for another. It's generally negative. The double agent fed false information to the enemy while working for our side. In many spy movies, the double agent plays a crucial role in the plot.

Examples of usage

The spy was identified as a collaborator with the enemy forces.
She was accused of being a collaborator and sentenced accordingly.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

work

To work jointly on an activity or project.

Synonyms

cooperate, team up, work together.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
collaborator	Typically used in professional or academic settings to describe someone who works jointly on an activity or project. She is a frequent collaborator with many international researchers. Our company is an official collaborator on the new environmental initiative.
cooperate	Used to describe the act of working together towards a common goal, often implies a willingness to help each other. If we all cooperate, we can finish the project ahead of schedule. The police asked the public to cooperate in their investigation.
work together	A general term that can be used in both professional and casual settings to describe collaborating on any task or activity. We need to work together to resolve this issue. The group works together very efficiently.
team up	Often used in more casual or informal settings to describe partnering with someone for a specific task or purpose. Let's team up to tackle this assignment. They decided to team up for the school science fair.

Examples of usage

The two companies decided to collaborate on a new product line.
We should collaborate more effectively to reach our goals.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'collaborare,' meaning 'to work together,' where 'com-' means 'together' and 'laborare' means 'to work.'
Initially used in English around the late 19th century, it has evolved to include various contexts, both positive and negative.
The term gained prominence during World War II, often associated with people who worked with occupying forces.

Psychology

Collaborative learning has been shown to improve retention and understanding, as students often learn better through peer interaction.
Group dynamics play a critical role in effective collaboration; factors such as trust and communication significantly influence outcomes.
The concept of 'social constructivism' underlines that knowledge is constructed through social interaction, making collaboration a fundamental part of learning.

Pop Culture

In modern media, collaborations between artists, such as musicians or filmmakers, often lead to innovative and popular hits that blend different styles.
Reality TV shows often celebrate collaboration, showcasing how people from diverse backgrounds can come together to create something remarkable.
Popular social media platforms promote collaboration by enabling users to work together remotely, creating content that can reach millions.

Business

In the workplace, collaboration is considered vital for innovation, with teams often outperforming individuals by pooling diverse skills and perspectives.
Companies use collaborative tools such as shared software and communication platforms to enhance teamwork and efficiency.
Executive roles often require strong collaborative skills, as leaders must navigate different interests to align teams focused on common objectives.

Education

Collaborative projects in schools encourage communication and teamwork among students, preparing them for real-world working environments.
Teachers often employ group activities to build collaborative skills, fostering a sense of community and support within the classroom.
Research indicates that collaborative teaching strategies lead to improved student engagement and enhanced learning experiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "collaborator" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colaborador

🇮🇳 सहयोगी

🇩🇪 Mitarbeiter

Mitarbeiterin
Kollaborateur

🇮🇩 kolaborator

🇺🇦 співробітник

колаборант
співпрацівник

🇵🇱 współpracownik

🇯🇵 協力者 (きょうりょくしゃ)

🇫🇷 collaborateur

🇪🇸 colaborador

🇹🇷 işbirlikçi

🇰🇷 협력자 (협력자)

🇸🇦 متعاون

🇨🇿 spolupracovník

🇸🇰 spolupracovník

🇨🇳 合作者 (hézuòzhě)

🇸🇮 sodelavec

🇮🇸 samstarfsmaður

🇰🇿 әріптес

🇬🇪 თანამშრომელი

🇦🇿 əməkdaş

🇲🇽 colaborador

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,362, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20359 mace
20360 verdure
20361 heady
20362 collaborator
20363 overhang
20364 delimited
20365 canvassing
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