20 Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns

A collective noun is a noun that refers to a group of people or things as a whole. For example, a “school” of fish is a collective noun, as is a “flock” of birds. Collective nouns can be used to make your writing more concise and interesting.

List of Collective Nouns

Here are 20 examples of collective nouns:

Collective Nouns with meaning and example:

Group

• Meaning: A collection of people or things gathered together.
• Example: The hiking club went out in a group to explore the wilderness.

Team

• Meaning: A group of individuals working together towards a common goal.
• Example: The soccer team practiced diligently to prepare for the championship match.

Committee

• Meaning: A group of people appointed for a specific task or function.
• Example: The organizing committee met to plan the upcoming charity event.

Choir

• Meaning: A group of singers who perform together, typically in a church or musical setting.
• Example: The church choir sang beautifully during the Sunday morning service.

Herd

• Meaning: A large group of animals, especially hoofed mammals, that live, feed, or migrate together.
• Example: The herd of elephants moved gracefully across the savannah.

Pack

• Meaning: A group of animals, especially carnivores, that hunt or travel together.
• Example: The wolf pack hunted in the moonlit forest.

Flock

• Meaning: A group of birds, especially domesticated ones, that fly or feed together.
• Example: A flock of seagulls circled above the beach.

Swarm

• Meaning: A large group of insects, typically flying or moving together.
• Example: The garden was overrun by a swarm of bees.

Fleet

• Meaning: A group of ships or vehicles, especially those under one command.
• Example: The naval fleet sailed into the harbor with great pomp and ceremony.

Band

• Meaning: A group of musicians who perform together.
• Example: The rock band played their new song at the music festival.

Squad

• Meaning: A small group of people working together within a larger group, especially in sports or military contexts.
• Example: The police squad conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene.

Class

• Meaning: A group of students who are taught together.
• Example: The chemistry class conducted experiments in the laboratory.

Colony

• Meaning: A group of people who settle in a new area but maintain ties with their homeland.
• Example: The British established a colony in North America in the 17th century.

Assembly

• Meaning: A group of people gathered together, especially for a formal meeting or discussion.
• Example: The political assembly debated the proposed legislation.

Crowd

• Meaning: A large group of people gathered closely together.
• Example: The crowd cheered as the parade passed by.

Tribe

• Meaning: A social group consisting of families or communities united by common ancestry, culture, or tradition.
• Example: The indigenous tribe held a sacred ceremony to honor their ancestors.

Family

• Meaning: A group of individuals related by blood or marriage.
• Example: The extended family gathered for a reunion at the lake house.

Staff

• Meaning: A group of employees working together in an organization or institution.
• Example: The hospital staff worked tirelessly to care for patients during the pandemic.

Congregation

• Meaning: A group of people gathered for religious worship or observance.
• Example: The congregation sang hymns together during the church service.

Council

• Meaning: A group of people elected or appointed to make decisions or provide advice.
• Example: The city council convened to discuss zoning regulations.

Collective nouns are a valuable tool for English speakers. They can be used to make your writing more concise and interesting, and they can also help you to better understand the English language.

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