LINK / CITE ADD TO WORD LIST. adjective. The definition of collective is a group of people working together toward a common goal or in an organization. An example of collective used as an adjective is a collective art project, a group of artists working together on a mural.he definition of collective is a group of people working together toward a common goal or in an organization. An example of collective used as an adjective is a collective art project, a group of artists working together on a mural.