ADJ

big, extensive, huge, large, major, substantial, vast
small
growing
complete, comprehensive
core, permanent
The permanent collection is displayed on the first floor, whilst the ground floor houses temporary exhibitions
reserve
The museum has a large reserve collection in storage, which members of the public rarely get to see
amazing, extraordinary, fascinating, fine, good, great, important, impressive, interesting, magnificent, outstanding, remarkable, rich, stunning, superb, unique, useful, valuable
bizarre, disparate, diverse, heterogeneous, jumbled, miscellaneous, motley, odd, random, strange, varied
representative
to assemble and analyse a representative collection of data
celebrated, distinguished, famous, prestigious, renowned
family, personal, private
the largest private art collection in the world
public
international, local, national
historical
reference, research
a research collection available for study by archaeologists
archive, library, museum
a historical archive collection of 20,000 documents
antiques, art, book, CD, coin, manuscript, photographic, picture, plant, record, stamp

VERB + COLLECTION

boast, have
The museum boasts a superb collection of medieval weapons
acquire, amass, assemble, build up, compile, make
He built up his collection over a period of ten years. She made a collection of Roman coins and medals
start
add to
a new painting to add to their collection
complete
She needed only one more stamp to complete her collection
hold, house
a new building to house the national collection of arms and armour
display, exhibit, show
A glass-fronted cabinet displayed a collection of china figurines
view, visit, see
I was allowed to view his family collection of portrait miniatures
consult, study
Historians frequently ask to consult the collection
organize
She had the task of cataloguing the library and organizing the collection of rare manuscripts

COLLECTION + VERB

consist of sth, contain sth, include sth
The collection contains some 500 items
cover sth
The collection covers all phases of Picasso's career
come from …
date from …
major collections dating from the 11th to the 19th century
grow
The museum's collection is growing all the time
be available, be/ go on display/show/view
The collection is to go on public display for the first time next month. The collection is rarely on view to the public

PREP

~ of
a valuable collection of antique porcelain

ADJ

routine, systematic
the systematic collection of data
efficient
free
The council offers free collection of waste
weekly
data
debt, rent, revenue, tax
the need for more efficient tax collection
refuse, rubbish, waste

VERB + COLLECTION

await, be ready for
Your car is awaiting collection at our garage
arrange, organize
They will arrange collection of the chairs

COLLECTION + NOUN

point
a lack of collection points for waste paper
service
a refuse collection service

PREP

~ of
There are some difficulties with the collection of reliable data

PHRASES

a method of collection
different methods of data collection

VERB + COLLECTION

compile, edit, publish
to publish a collection of scholarly essays

PREP

~ of

ADJ

house-to-house, street
charity, church

VERB + COLLECTION

have, make, organize, take
We will have a collection for charity at the end of the concert. A collection will be taken at the end of the service

COLLECTION + NOUN

box, plate
the church collection plate

PREP

~ for
a street collection for famine relief

ADJ

new
autumn, spring, etc.
ready-to-wear

VERB + COLLECTION

show, unveil
the first designer to unveil his collection for the spring season