crowd

¹

[ kroud ]

noun

1. a large number of persons gathered closely together; throng:

   a crowd of angry people.

2. any large number of persons.
3. any group or set of persons with something in common:

   The restaurant attracts a theater crowd.

4. audience; attendance:

   Opening night drew a good crowd.

5. the common people; the masses:

   He feels superior to the crowd.

   Synonyms: populace, plebeians, proletariat

6. a large number of things gathered or considered together.
7. Sociology. a temporary gathering of people responding to common stimuli and engaged in any of various forms of collective behavior.

verb (used without object)

1. to gather in large numbers; throng; swarm.

   Synonyms: thrust, drive, herd, assemble

2. to press forward; advance by pushing.

verb (used with object)

1. to press closely together; force into a confined space; cram:

   to crowd clothes into a suitcase.

2. to push; shove.
3. to fill to excess; fill by pressing or thronging into.
4. to place under pressure or stress by constant solicitation:

   to crowd a debtor for payment; to crowd someone with embarrassing questions.

crowd

²

[ kroud ]

noun

, Music.

1. an ancient Celtic musical instrument with the strings stretched over a rectangular frame, played with a bow.

crowd

¹

/ kraʊd /

noun

1. a large number of things or people gathered or considered together
2. a particular group of people, esp considered as a social or business set

   the crowd from the office

3. 1. the common people; the masses
   2. ( as modifier )

      crowd ideas

4. follow the crowd
   to conform with the majority

verb

1. intr to gather together in large numbers; throng
2. tr to press together into a confined space
3. tr to fill to excess; fill by pushing into
4. informal.
   tr to urge or harass by urging
5. crowd on sail
   nautical to hoist as much sail as possible

crowd

²

/ kraʊd /

noun

1. music an ancient bowed stringed instrument; crwth

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Derived Forms

• ˈcrowdedly, adverb
• ˈcrowded, adjective
• ˈcrowdedness, noun
• ˈcrowder, noun

Other Words From

• crowder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crowd¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English verb crouden, cruden, croden, Old English crūdan, crēodan “to press, hurry”; cognate with Middle Dutch crūden “to push,” Middle Low German krūden to annoy”

Origin of crowd²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English croud, crouth, from Welsh crwth; crwth

Word History and Origins

Origin of crowd¹

Old English crūdan; related to Middle Low German krūden to molest, Middle Dutch crūden to push, Norwegian kryda to swarm

Origin of crowd²

C13: from Welsh crwth

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. crowd on sail, Nautical. to carry a press of sail.

More idioms and phrases containing crowd

see follow the crowd ; three's a crowd .

Synonym Study

Crowd, multitude, swarm, throng refer to large numbers of people. Crowd suggests a jostling, uncomfortable, and possibly disorderly company: A crowd gathered to listen to the speech. Multitude emphasizes the great number of persons or things but suggests that there is space enough for all: a multitude of people at the market on Saturdays. Swarm as used of people is usually contemptuous, suggesting a moving, restless, often noisy, crowd: A swarm of dirty children played in the street. Throng suggests a company that presses together or forward, often with some common aim: The throng pushed forward to see the cause of the excitement.

Example Sentences

The Associated Press reported that the funeral location was not made public in advance to prevent a large crowd from gathering.

From Los Angeles Times

The crowded shopping bazaar in the Istanbul district of Esenyurt is popular with the thousands of Syrian refugees who live in the region.

From BBC

That’s her Oscar clip and why, even in a category crowded with contenders, Moore has a shot at a nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

The range of Nadal's appeal is broad and it was striking to see how mixed the Malaga crowd was.

From BBC

Anthony Davis is the league’s second-leading scorer, and as he’s stepped to the foul line, the crowd has serenaded him on multiple occasions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circle
• congregation
• crew
• group
• horde
• lot
• mass
• mob
• pack
• party
• people
• press
• sellout
• throng

More About Crowd

What is a basic definition of crowd?

A crowd is a large group of people or an audience. Crowd also means to cram closely together. Crowd has several other senses as a noun and a verb.

The word crowd can be used to describe any large group of people. Often, crowd is used to specifically mean that the people are standing close together. If a location has a large number of people in a small area, it is said to be crowded.

• Real-life examples: A protest often involves a crowd of angry people. Crowds are often broken up when they get too large and unruly. You are very likely to see huge crowds in large cities like Los Angeles or in popular amusement parks like Disney World.
• Used in a sentence: My sister got lost in the crowd of businesspeople boarding the subway car. 

In this sense, crowd is used as a verb to mean to gather together in large numbers.

• Used in a sentence: We crowded around the trained monkey to watch it dance. 

Crowd is also used to mean an audience, even if not many people are in the audience.

• Real-life examples: Musicians, circus performers, actors, and comedians perform in front of a crowd. Politicians often give speeches to a crowd. Every producer wants to attract a large crowd to a show so they make more money.
• Used in a sentence: She received a standing ovation from the crowd. 

Crowd can also specifically mean a group of people who have something in common.

• Used in a sentence: I don’t really fit in with this artsy crowd. 

As a verb, crowd means to pack or cram closely together in a tight space.

• Used in a sentence: Twelve clowns crowded into the tiny car.

Where does crowd come from?

The first records of crowd come from before 950. It ultimately comes from the Old English crūden, meaning “to press” or “to hurry.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to crowd?

• crowded (adjective)
• crowder (noun)

What are some synonyms for crowd?

• group
• mass
• mob
• throng
• circle
• cram
• press
• pack
• squeeze

What are some words that share a root or word element with crowd? 

• crowded
• crowdfunding
• crowd pleaser
• crowdsource
• crowd surf
• two’s company, three’s a crowd

What are some words that often get used in discussing crowd?

• people
• gather
• performance
• show
• tough
• great
• large
• angry

How is crowd used in real life?

Crowd is a common word that most often means a large group of people.

Large crowd continuing to march on Pike Street from downtown. Two individuals were arrested outside of the West Precinct. Demonstrators threw rocks, bottles and other items at officers. At least one officer has been transported to the hospital.

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 19, 2020

Proud of my hometown Miami crowd giving up that energy for our boys.. I know that energy well. #GoHeat

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 10, 2012

Person in Tahoe looks at me in my small sedan as if it's my fault because they are crowded into a parking space next to me. Don't do that.

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 10, 2017

 

 

Try using crowd!

True or False?

A crowd is a small group of people.