collaborate

Today's Word of the Day from Merriam-Webster is "collaborate," a verb with two primary meanings. Primarily, to collaborate means to work together with others to achieve a common goal. This can involve teamwork and shared effort towards a specific objective or project. Conversely, collaborate can also imply assisting an enemy, particularly during a war. The text provides an example of collaboration in the fashion industry, highlighting a collaboration between Forever 21 and a photographer. The etymology reveals that "collaborate" originates from the Latin prefix "com-" (meaning "with") and the verb "laborare" (meaning "to labor"). The prefix "com-" changes form depending on the following letter; becoming "col-" before "l". The entry also differentiates "collaborate" from the related word "corroborate." Corroborate, derived from "com-" and "robur" (meaning "strength"), signifies providing evidence to support a statement. Therefore, while similar in origin, the words carry distinct meanings. Understanding these nuances helps in using the word correctly.