Words / B2

k-uh-MIT-ee/kəˈmɪti/

A committee is a small group chosen to make decisions or organise something: the exam committee, sit on a committee. Board is close for governors; panel is often for a one-off judging group; group is everyday and looser. In British English, committee takes a singular or plural verb (the committee meets / meet). In speech, the group that decides is enough. Do not use it for any gathering — a committee has a brief and, usually, minutes.

Meaning

A small group chosen to make decisions or organise something.

Examples

• “The committee meets on Friday.”
• “The committee meets on Friday to agree the calendar.”
• “She sat on the complaints committee for a full year.”

Good to know

A small decision-making group. Everyday: the group that decides. Close: board / panel. British: singular or plural verb.

Near in meaning

board

New