entourage
A group of people attending, assisting, or surrounding an important or famous person.
An entourage is not just a group of friends; it is a functional retinue of assistants, bodyguards, publicists, and hangers-on who travel with a celebrity to serve and protect them.
Word relationships
- retinue: Retinue is a more formal, historical term for the attendants of a king or noble, while entourage is used for modern celebrities and public figures.
- posse: Posse is a more informal, slang-adjacent term for a group of close friends or associates.
- solitude: The state of being completely alone.
- isolation: The state of being separated from others, often unwillingly.
Commonly confused with
- colleagues: Colleagues are professional equals who work together; an entourage consists of subordinates who serve a single prominent figure.
Collocations
- celebrity entourage
- travel with an entourage
- loyal entourage
- sizeable entourage
Example sentences
- "The heavy-weight champion arrived at the press conference surrounded by a massive entourage of trainers and bodyguards." A celebrity arriving at an event
- "The prime minister's entourage occupied three entire floors of the luxury hotel during the summit." A political leader's travel
Memory hook
Think of 'on-tour-age'—when a famous rock star goes 'on tour', they need a whole 'age' (group) of people to travel with them. The circle that surrounds you on tour.
When not to use
Do not use entourage for a simple group of friends hanging out; it requires a power dynamic where the group exists to support one central figure.
Fun facts
- The popular HBO television series 'Entourage' chronicled the life of a rising Hollywood star and the childhood friends he kept on his payroll to navigate fame.
Related words
Explore more words
protege, confidant, patronage, endorsement, concierge, procession
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