throng
THRAWNG
/θrɔːŋ/
A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.
Evokes a dramatic, surging, tightly packed mass of people moving or pressing together.
The story behind the word. From Old English 'þrang' or 'geþrang', connected to 'þringan' (to press, push, or squeeze). It has maintained its vivid core meaning of people physically pressing against one another for over a thousand years.
Word relationships
- multitude: 'Multitude' highlights enormous numbers of people, while 'throng' emphasizes their close physical compression and movement.
- horde: 'Horde' often has a slightly aggressive or wild nuance, whereas 'throng' is neutral regarding behavior.
- handful: A 'handful' means a very small number of individuals.
Commonly confused with
- thong: 'Thong' refers to a narrow strip of leather or footwear, completely distinct from 'throng' (a crowd).
Word family
- thronged (adjective): Filled with a crowd.
Collocations
- eager throng
- throng of people
- throng into
Example sentences
- "An enthusiastic throng of spectators filled the city plaza to glimpse the parade." Journalistic Coverage
Memory hook
The THRONg wore THONG sandals to the crowded beach. A pressing, packed crowd.
When not to use
Do not use for small, orderly queues or small gatherings.
Fun facts
- The word 'throng' is closely related to the modern German word 'Drang' (as in 'Sturm und Drang'), meaning drive or pressure.
Related words
Explore more words
herd, multitude, congestion, influx, densely-populated, concourse
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