throng

[ thrawng, throng ]

noun

1. a multitude of people crowded or assembled together; crowd.

   Synonyms: assemblage, host, horde

2. a great number of things crowded or considered together:

   a throng of memories.

3. Chiefly Scot. pressure, as of work.

verb (used without object)

1. to assemble, collect, or go in large numbers; crowd.

verb (used with object)

1. to crowd or press upon; jostle.
2. to fill or occupy with or as with a crowd:

   He thronged the picture with stars.

3. to bring or drive together into or as into a crowd, heap, or collection.
4. to fill by crowding or pressing into:

   They thronged the small room.

adjective

, Scot. and North England.

1. filled with people or objects; crowded.
2. (of time) filled with things to do; busy.

throng

/ θrɒŋ /

noun

1. a great number of people or things crowded together

verb

1. to gather in or fill (a place) in large numbers; crowd
2. tr to hem in (a person); jostle

adjective

1. dialect.
   postpositive busy

Other Words From

• inter·thronging adjective
• over·throng verb
• un·thronged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of throng¹

before 1000; (noun) Middle English; Old English gethrang; cognate with Dutch drang, German Drang pressure, Old Norse thrǫng throng; (adj. and v.) Middle English; akin to the noun; compare obsolete thring to press

Word History and Origins

Origin of throng¹

Old English gethrang; related to Old Norse throng, Old High German drangōd

Synonym Study

See crowd ¹.

Example Sentences

One man among the throng had travelled a little less far than other enthusiasts - he had journeyed from a few hundred metres away in the village.

From BBC

One accountant in the throng clutched five copies, intending to mail the book to his nephews and nieces in the Midwest.

From Los Angeles Times

He also made two bad decisions, throwing into a throng of defenders in the end zone and hurling a ball up for grabs while in the clutches of a defender to prevent a safety.

From Los Angeles Times

By the time Toronto begins its annual showcase next week, awards season will be in full throng.

From Los Angeles Times

On third and five at the seven-yard line, Garbers rolled out and threw a pass into a throng of defenders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bunch
• congregation
• crush
• flock
• gathering
• horde
• mass
• mob
• multitude
• sellout
• swarm