collected

adjective

col·​lect·​ed kə-ˈlek-təd 

1

: gathered together

the collected works of Scott

2

: possessed of calmness and composure often through concentrated effort

3

of a horse's gait : performed slowly and restrainedly with the animal's center of gravity toward the hindquarters compare extended

collectedly adverb

collectedness noun

Synonyms

• calm
• composed
• cool
• coolheaded
• equal
• level
• limpid
• peaceful
• placid
• possessed
• recollected
• sedate
• self-composed
• self-possessed
• serene
• smooth
• together
• tranquil
• undisturbed
• unperturbed
• unruffled
• unshaken
• untroubled
• unworried

Choose the Right Synonym for collected

cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement.

cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

Examples of collected in a Sentence

the collected works of Shakespeare

She seemed completely cool, calm, and collected during her speech.

Recent Examples on the Web

The cameras and databases of collected data are frequently used by police to search for suspects. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025

At the fountain, the collected coins are weighed under the oversight of city police officers before Mr. Marchioni takes them to Caritas offices. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025

That wonderful description spent 50 years in a folder, but now—on the tenth anniversary of his death—has been published in the collected Letters of Seamus Heaney, edited by the poet Christopher Reid. —Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024

Before her husband’s death in 2018, the couple started a project going through 300 boxes of collected papers and memorabilia that led to debates between Goodwin and her husband over the accomplishments of both presidents, Gates noted. —Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of collect entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing collected

• calm, cool, and collected
• self-collected

Kids Definition

collected

adjective

col·​lect·​ed kə-ˈlek-təd 

: being calm and in control of oneself

collectedly adverb

collectedness noun