group
noun (countable)
UKɡruːpUSɡruːp
a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered or classed together
Example Sentences
A small group of students waited outside the classroom.
He joined a hiking group to explore the mountains every weekend.
There was a group of people protesting in front of the city hall.
The band has grown popular as a rock group with a unique sound.
They split the class into two groups to make the discussion more interactive.
Our tour group visited several historic landmarks in the city center.
Often, a close-knit group shares common interests and experiences, helping each member feel supported and understood through mutual camaraderie.
During the conference, each group presented their research findings, engaging in animated debates and collaborative brainstorming sessions to refine potential solutions to the problem at hand.
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verb (transitive)
UKɡruːpUSɡruːp
to arrange or place people or things together in one category or cluster
Example Sentences
Try to group similar ideas together when you’re brainstorming.
She will group the photos by date for better organization.
Group the chairs in the corner to make room for the guests.
We can group the files by theme to simplify our search later.
Teachers often group students by skill level to target their specific needs.
He asked the volunteers to group around the stage for a quick briefing.
When you group your tasks into manageable categories, it becomes easier to tackle them systematically, saving you both time and energy in the long run.
The event coordinator decided to group participants according to their professional backgrounds, thereby fostering more focused networking opportunities and knowledge sharing within each specialized circle.
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How to Use
A collective of multiple individuals or items acting together.As both a noun and a verb, “group” describes assembling or classifying multiple people, items, or concepts according to a shared characteristic or purpose. When you say “a group of friends,” you highlight the collective nature of those individuals united by common interests. In a business setting, you might “group reports” by department for better organization. Verbally, “group” can also imply clustering things together based on similarities, be it academic subjects or items in a store. In instructions, “group these files” signals the user to compile them under a single category. When writing or speaking, you often pair “group” with a descriptor that defines what unifies the items: “study group,” “work group,” or “focus group.” This ensures clarity about why people or things come together. Whether casual or formal, “group” emphasizes the power of unity or shared identity. If overused, consider synonyms that highlight the nature of the assembly (e.g., “team,” “cluster,” “collection”), thus ensuring a more precise expression of how entities gather or align. But overall, “group” remains a straightforward and reliable term for highlighting collective organization, especially when brevity and clarity are key.
Alternatives
When looking for an alternative to “group,” you can focus on the specific context that drives the gathering. “Team” implies collaboration and often a common goal, making it perfect for sports or workplace projects. “Assembly” suits more formal or official gatherings, such as legislative sessions or structured meetings. “Cluster” conveys a closer physical or conceptual alignment of items, emphasizing proximity or similarity. “Collective” leans toward groups functioning as a single entity, often in social or artistic endeavors. “Body” highlights an organized unit with a defined function—like a governing body or a student body. “Gathering” can emphasize the act of coming together, suitable for social or casual contexts. For smaller, tighter-knit circles, “circle” or “cohort” might work—such as a cohort of researchers or classmates. Finally, “category” frames items or concepts united by shared features or traits, especially in organizational or academic settings. By choosing the term that fits your precise scenario—professional, social, thematic, or physical—you give readers or listeners a clearer idea of how those individuals or objects come together. Each word carries slightly different connotations, ensuring your description of a collective remains sharp, contextual, and engaging.
Writing
When writing about a “group,” focus on what unites its members or items, and the purpose they serve. For instance, in a research paper, clarifying whether you analyzed a control group or a test group helps define the experiment’s structure. In fiction, you can depict a group of travelers brought together by fate, creating opportunities for dynamic character interactions. In business or academic writing, you might organize details into logical groupings, making complex information easier to follow. To avoid repetitive phrasing, you can integrate synonyms like “team” or “assembly” when context demands something more specific. Also consider describing the group’s internal structure—roles, hierarchies, or objectives—so your audience understands how members collaborate or what they share in common. Balance general mentions of “the group” with concrete details: size, composition, and context. Doing so offers depth and clarity, illustrating why and how these elements or individuals operate together. Above all, ensure each reference to a group aligns with its particular function, maintaining consistency and coherence throughout your text, no matter if it’s an academic piece, a corporate report, or a narrative tale.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “group” works as a convenient catch-all for describing people or things gathered together. You might discuss plans with friends—“We’re going as a group to the concert,” or “We formed a study group for the exam.” Whether it’s a group chat on your phone or a group outing over the weekend, the term signals that multiple people share a common plan or interest. You’ll also hear it in daily life, like “We were grouped by age at summer camp,” highlighting informal sorting or organization. If you find yourself using “group” repetitively, try synonyms like “bunch,” “crowd,” or “crew” for a more casual, personal vibe: “We have a nice crew joining the road trip.” Still, “group” remains a simple, universally understood word that’s ideal for everyday scenarios. It avoids confusion and gets your point across quickly—no matter if you’re chatting about a small circle of friends or a big event crowd. By mentioning what the group is doing or why they’re together—like “They’re a group of classmates meeting up for a project”—you give a clear sense of the purpose behind the get-together, keeping your conversation fluid and informative.
Etymology
The term “group” in English likely traces back to the French “groupe,” itself drawn from the Italian “gruppo,” which referred to a knot or cluster of things tied together. Originally used in art and sculpture contexts to describe figures arranged in a scene, the word gradually broadened to represent any collection of items or individuals. As commerce, travel, and communication expanded throughout Europe, “group” took on various connotations—from casual gatherings of people to formal organizations. This evolving usage reflects humanity’s inherent tendency to assemble—whether for survival, socialization, or shared goals. Over time, “group” also lent its name to many modern concepts, like focus groups in marketing or peer groups in psychology, underlining how essential and adaptable this concept remains. The bridging of languages and cultural interchange shaped “group” into a staple of contemporary vocabulary, defining everything from scientific classifications (like groups on the periodic table) to everyday circles of friends. Its journey through multiple European languages reminds us that human collaboration and categorization are universal themes, mirrored in how we name, define, and conceptualize clusters within our world.
