committee
A committee is a small group of people chosen to work together on a specific task or problem.
Explanation at your level:
A committee is a group of people. They work together. They make plans. You can have a school committee. They help the school.
A committee is a small group of people in a company or school. They talk about a problem. Then, they decide what to do. It is a formal group.
When a group of people is chosen to do a special job, we call them a committee. For example, if your office needs a new coffee machine, they might form a committee to choose the best one. It is a common way to make decisions in business.
A committee is a formal body of people appointed to perform a specific function. Unlike a casual meeting, a committee usually has a clear purpose and a set of rules. You might 'serve on' a committee to gain experience or influence decisions in your organization.
In professional and political spheres, a committee acts as a deliberative body. It is often used to delegate complex tasks that require specialized knowledge or consensus. Because committees can sometimes be slow, people often use the phrase 'death by committee' to describe situations where progress is hindered by too many people having a say.
The term committee encapsulates the transition from individual agency to collective responsibility. In institutional settings, the formation of a committee is a strategic move to ensure accountability and diverse perspectives. Etymologically, it reflects the act of 'committing' a task to a trusted group, a practice that remains fundamental to modern governance and organizational theory.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A committee is a formal group of people.
- They are chosen to perform a specific task.
- The word has three sets of double letters.
- It is a common term in business and government.
When you hear the word committee, think of a team with a specific mission. It is not just any group of friends; it is a formal gathering of people chosen to handle a particular job.
You will often see committees in schools, workplaces, or government offices. Their main purpose is to divide the labor so that big decisions do not overwhelm one single person. By working together, they can research, debate, and find the best path forward.
The word committee has fascinating roots in the French language. It comes from the Anglo-French word comite, which is related to the verb commettre, meaning 'to commit' or 'to entrust'.
Historically, the term was used to describe a person to whom a task or a person (like a ward) was entrusted. Over time, the meaning shifted from an individual person to a group of people tasked with a duty. It is a classic example of how language evolves from describing a single role to describing a collective body.
Using committee correctly is all about context. It is a formal word, so you would use it in business or academic settings rather than when talking to your best friend about a movie night.
Common phrases include 'serve on a committee' or 'form a committee'. When you talk about these groups, you often use verbs like establish, appoint, or dissolve. Remember that it is a collective noun, so it can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether you see the group as one unit or as individuals.
While there are not many fixed idioms involving the word itself, the concept is central to phrases like 'a camel is a horse designed by a committee', which implies that group decisions can sometimes result in something awkward or messy.
Another common expression is 'to be on the committee', which simply means you are a member of that specific group. People also say 'refer to a committee' when they want to delay a decision by sending it to a smaller group for further study.
The word committee is unique because of its double letters: m-m, t-t, and e-e. It is a countable noun, so you can have one committee or many committees.
In terms of pronunciation, the stress is on the second syllable: kuh-MIT-ee. In British English, it is often pronounced with a slightly clearer 't' sound, while American speakers might make the 't' sound more like a soft 'd' (a flap t). It rhymes with words like ditty or witty.
Fun Fact
The word is a classic 'spelling bee' trap because of its three sets of double letters.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'kuh-MIT-ee'.
Sounds like 'kuh-MID-ee' with a flap t.
Common Errors
- Stressing the first syllable (COM-mit-tee)
- Forgetting the double letters
- Pronouncing the final 'e' as a long 'i'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Spelling is tricky
Easy to pronounce
Clear sounds
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Collective Nouns
The committee is/are...
Subject-Verb Agreement
The committee meets.
Articles with Nouns
The committee.
Examples by Level
The committee meets today.
The group meets today.
Singular subject.
I am in the committee.
I am a member.
Preposition in.
The committee is big.
The group is large.
Adjective usage.
We need a committee.
We need a team.
Need + noun.
The committee has a plan.
The group has an idea.
Has + noun.
Who is on the committee?
Who is in the group?
Question form.
The committee works hard.
The group works well.
Verb agreement.
Join the committee now.
Be part of the group.
Imperative verb.
The social committee planned the party.
She was appointed to the committee.
The committee discussed the new rules.
Is the committee meeting tomorrow?
The committee made a final decision.
He chairs the local committee.
The committee needs more members.
We presented our idea to the committee.
The committee is responsible for safety.
He has served on the committee for years.
The committee reached a unanimous decision.
They formed a committee to investigate the issue.
The committee report was published yesterday.
I was asked to join the steering committee.
The committee will meet behind closed doors.
The committee is composed of five experts.
The committee is deadlocked on the issue.
The committee operates under strict guidelines.
She was elected to the executive committee.
The committee's recommendations were ignored.
A committee was set up to oversee the project.
The committee members are all volunteers.
The committee has the power to veto the plan.
They deferred the matter to the committee.
The committee serves as a vital check on power.
The proposal was referred to a subcommittee.
The committee proceedings were highly contentious.
He was appointed to the committee on ethics.
The committee is tasked with drafting the policy.
The committee's findings were groundbreaking.
The committee is a hotbed of political activity.
They established a committee to facilitate reform.
The committee's deliberations were long and arduous.
The committee acts as a proxy for the board.
The committee was dissolved due to lack of progress.
The committee represents the interests of the stakeholders.
His appointment to the committee was purely ceremonial.
The committee functions within a rigid hierarchy.
The committee's mandate is quite broad.
The committee's consensus was reached after much debate.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"a camel is a horse designed by a committee"
Group decisions can lead to weird, impractical results.
Don't add too many features; remember that a camel is a horse designed by a committee.
idiomatic"death by committee"
When a project is delayed because too many people have to approve it.
The project is suffering from death by committee.
business"on the committee"
Being a member of a group.
Are you on the committee for the dance?
neutral"refer to committee"
To send a matter to a group for further study.
The motion was referred to committee.
formal"committee of the whole"
A parliamentary procedure where the entire group acts as a committee.
The house resolved into a committee of the whole.
formalEasily Confused
Both are groups.
Commission is often a body with legal authority.
The Trade Commission vs. The Party Committee.
Both are groups.
Board usually implies higher authority.
Board of Directors vs. Planning Committee.
Both are groups.
Council is often municipal or legislative.
City Council vs. Social Committee.
Both are groups.
Panel is often for discussion or judgment.
Expert Panel vs. Selection Committee.
Sentence Patterns
The committee + verb + ...
The committee met at noon.
He was appointed to the committee.
He was appointed to the committee last week.
The committee decided to + verb
The committee decided to postpone the vote.
On the committee
I am proud to be on the committee.
The committee's + noun
The committee's decision was final.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It needs double m, double t, and double e.
Committee is only a noun.
Use 'is' for the unit, 'are' for the members.
Commissions are often external or government-mandated.
Don't stress the first syllable.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a committee meeting in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when talking about official business.
Cultural Insight
Committees are essential to Western corporate culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: The committee IS (singular) vs The committee ARE (plural members).
Say It Right
Focus on the middle 'MIT' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid writing 'comitee'.
Did You Know?
It has three sets of double letters.
Study Smart
Write the word five times while saying the letters out loud.
Professional Writing
Use it to sound more authoritative.
Listening Tip
Listen for the stress on the second syllable.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Commit-tee: Two M's, two T's, two E's. Remember: 'Commit' + 'tee'.
Visual Association
A group of people sitting at a table with a 'T' shaped sign.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to identify three committees in your school or workplace.
Word Origin
French
Original meaning: A person to whom a duty is entrusted.
Cultural Context
None, but can imply bureaucracy.
Committees are a cornerstone of democratic and corporate life in English-speaking countries.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Join the committee
- Committee meeting
- Submit to the committee
In school
- Student committee
- Planning committee
- Committee report
In government
- Congressional committee
- Refer to committee
- Committee chair
In clubs
- Social committee
- Finance committee
- Membership committee
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever served on a committee?"
"What do you think is the best way to run a committee meeting?"
"Do you prefer working alone or in a committee?"
"What is the most effective committee you have been a part of?"
"Do you think committees make decisions faster or slower?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you worked in a group to solve a problem.
If you could form a committee to change one thing in your town, what would it be?
Write about why committees are important in a business.
Discuss the pros and cons of group decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt can be both, depending on whether you view the group as a single entity or as individual members.
C-O-M-M-I-T-T-E-E.
Only if you are joking; it is too formal for casual social groups.
A smaller group within a larger committee.
No, it is strictly a noun.
There is no direct adjective, but 'committee-based' is sometimes used.
It helps distribute responsibility.
Yes, like panel, council, or board.
Test Yourself
The ___ met to talk about the plan.
A committee is a group of people.
What does a committee do?
Committees are formed to discuss and decide.
A committee is a single person.
A committee is a group of people.
Word
Meaning
These are common collocations.
Subject + verb + infinitive phrase.
He was ___ to the planning committee.
You are appointed to a committee.
Which phrase describes a slow decision process?
This idiom refers to bureaucracy.
The word committee has three sets of double letters.
m-m, t-t, e-e.
Word
Meaning
Advanced vocabulary context.
The committee reached a consensus.
Score: /10
Summary
A committee is a team with a specific, formal mission.
- A committee is a formal group of people.
- They are chosen to perform a specific task.
- The word has three sets of double letters.
- It is a common term in business and government.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a committee meeting in your kitchen.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when talking about official business.
Cultural Insight
Committees are essential to Western corporate culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: The committee IS (singular) vs The committee ARE (plural members).
Example
The school committee organizes the annual dance every year.
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This Word in Other Languages
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