3 syllables: col, lect, ors. Stress on lect.
kuh-LEK-turz
/kəˈlɛktɚz/
collectors is pronounced kuh-LEK-turz (/kəˈlɛktɚz/). It has three syllables (col-lect-ors), with the stress on "lect". Collectors refers to people or entities that gather items, objects, or data, often as a hobby, profession, or role. The term can describe individuals who assemble collections or systems that accumulate items over time. In broader use, it can denote agents or devices that amass things, including data collectors in research or technology.
Collectors refers to people or entities that gather items, objects, or data, often as a hobby, profession, or role. The term can describe individuals who assemble collections or systems that accumulate items over time. In broader use, it can denote agents or devices that amass things, including data collectors in research or technology.
"The collectors at the museum organized a special exhibit of medieval manuscripts."
"Coin collectors often trade stories as much as coins."
"Data collectors must follow strict privacy guidelines when handling sensitive information."
Pronounce as /kəˈlɛk.tərz/ in US English, with primary stress on the second syllable: ku-LEK-ters. The first syllable is a reduced 'kə' and the middle syllable carries the strong /ɛ/ as in 'let.' The final syllable has a voiced 'z' sound. In careful speech, enunciate the /t/ clearly before the final /ərz/. Audio reference: you can compare with dictionaries like Cambridge or Oxford for the /ˈ/ stress and the /t/ timing.
Two common errors are: (1) misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable (ca-LEC-tors) and (2) devoicing the final -s, saying /-z/ as /-s/. Correct by practicing the strong /ˈlɛk/ segment and ensuring the final /z/ is voiced. Also avoid t-d deletion; keep a crisp /t/ before the final /ər/ cluster. Practice with slow syllables: ku-LEK-tərz.
In US: /kəˈlɛk.tərz/, rhotic with clear /r/. In UK: /kəˈlek.təz/ or /kəˈlek.təz/, less rhoticity and a schwa in the second syllable; final /z/ often reduced to /z/ but with less length. In Australia: /kəˈlek.təz/ similar to UK but with broader vowel qualities and a hard /t/ often released into a flap-like quality. Use IPA: US /kəˈlɛk.tərz/, UK /kəˈlek.təz/, AU /kəˈlek.təz/.
The difficulty centers on maintaining stress placement across a multi-syllabic word while keeping a clear vowel in the stressed syllable and a voiced final -s. The /t/ before the final syllable can be unreleased in fast speech, causing confusion with /d/ or /s/ sounds. Another challenge is transitioning from the stressed /l/ sequence to the lighter, unstressed final syllable. Concentrate on the /ˈlɛk/ cluster and the /t/ release before /ərz/.
The unique aspect is the cluster transition from /lɛk/ to /tər/ and then the voicing of the final /z/. Unlike simple plurals, this word has a syllable boundary that asks for a brief pause between /k/ and /t/ in careful pronunciation, and the final -s is voiced, forming /z/-like sound. Emphasize the precise timing: ku-LEK-therz, with clear /t/ release and /z/ at the end.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "collectors"!
Collectors derives from the verb collect, tracing back to the Middle English collecten, from the Latin collectus, past participle of colligere ‘to gather, collect,’ from com- ‘together’ + legere ‘to gather, read.’ In English, collect- entered as a verb of gathering, then extended to nouns describing a person who collects. The modern plural collectors (late 16th century) began to signify people who assemble items as a hobby or profession. The sense of ‘devices or people that gather data or objects’ emerged with scientific and technological usage in the 19th and 20th centuries, aligning with the growth of field data collection and museum curation. The word’s trajectory mirrors the evolution from physical gathering to systematic accumulation, inventory, or cataloging in specialized domains. First known uses appear in late Middle English texts referring to those who ‘collect’ offerings or goods; later, the exact noun form collectors appeared to describe people who curate or assemble collections, expanding to modern contexts of data and artifact collection.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "collectors" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "collectors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "collectors" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "collectors"
-ors sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
