crowd
crowd — noun
1. many people who are all in one place at the same time, for example in a street,
many people who are all in one place at the same time, for example in a street, at a market, or outside a building
A large crowd gathered outside the train station to welcome the Olympic team home.
collocation: large crowd / crowd gathers
The singer waved at the crowd before walking off the stage.
Police asked the crowd to move back from the edge of the road.
Sumin lost her friends in the crowd at the night market.
Vinícius pushed through the crowd to reach the front of the stage.
文法句型
a crowd of + noun
the crowd + singular/plural verb
常見錯誤
2. the people someone knows and spends time with, often because they share the same
the people someone knows and spends time with, often because they share the same interests, activities, or background
Nikhil hangs out with a different crowd now that he joined the chess club.
collocation: hang out with a crowd
Sivan's crowd of friends all love hiking and camping on weekends.
collocation: crowd of friends
Lan found her crowd when she started volunteering at the animal shelter.
The art crowd meets every Friday at the gallery downtown.
文法句型
someone's crowd
the + noun + crowd
用法筆記
This sense is informal and usually refers to a group the speaker is part of or familiar with. It is often modified by a noun describing the shared interest: 'the theatre crowd,' 'the surfing crowd.'
3. many internet users who are asked to help do something, provide money for a proj
many internet users who are asked to help do something, provide money for a project, or give their opinion on a topic
The company asked the online crowd to help design its new logo through a contest.
pattern: ask the online crowd to do something
A crowd of volunteers helped translate the website into more than thirty languages.
The film project was funded by a crowd of small donors from around the world.
Researchers turned to an online crowd for help classifying thousands of photos of stars.
文法句型
the + noun + crowd
a crowd of + noun
用法筆記
Frequently appears in compounds such as 'crowdfunding' and 'crowdsourcing,' or in the set phrase 'the wisdom of the crowd.' The focus is on collective participation via digital platforms.
4. all the ordinary people in a society, seen as a single undifferentiated group th
all the ordinary people in a society, seen as a single undifferentiated group that is not especially rich, educated, or powerful
Anong believes that fashion is set by designers, not by the crowd.
The band refused to write songs that just please the crowd.
Great art often shocks the crowd before it is understood and accepted.
Instead of following the crowd, Jisoo chose a career that made her happy.
- the masses
more formal; often used in political or sociological contexts
- the public
neutral; refers to all people in general, not specifically contrasted with elites
- the elite
the small, powerful, or wealthy group contrasted with ordinary people
文法句型
the crowd
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively with the definite article ('the crowd'). Often appears in fixed expressions like 'follow the crowd' (do what everyone else does) or 'stand out from the crowd' (be noticeably different).
常見錯誤
crowd — verb
1. to get too close to someone or pay too much attention to them, so that they feel
to get too close to someone or pay too much attention to them, so that they feel uncomfortable or pressured
The reporter crowded the actress with questions as she left the building.
pattern: crowd someone with something
Liam felt crowded when his little brother followed him around all afternoon.
passive: feel crowded
Please do not crowd me — I need some space to think clearly.
Nkechi crowded the kitten by reaching out to pet it too quickly, scaring it away.
文法句型
crowd + noun (person)
crowd + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
The subject is usually a person or a small group. Common in imperatives ('Don't crowd me!'). The object is always a person or living creature that experiences discomfort from the closeness.
常見錯誤
2. to come together in a large group, filling a particular area or moving toward so
to come together in a large group, filling a particular area or moving toward something
Fans crowded around the restaurant entrance hoping to see the famous chef.
pattern: crowd around [place/thing]
Tariro watched the tourists crowd onto the bus for the city tour.
Children crowded around the ice cream truck as soon as it arrived.
Reporters crowded into the room when the winner came out to speak.
文法句型
crowd + around/into/onto
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with 'around,' 'into,' or 'onto' that indicates the target or destination. Never takes a direct object.
3. to fill a space completely by putting too many things or people into it, leaving
to fill a space completely by putting too many things or people into it, leaving little or no room between them
Kevin crowded all his camping gear into one backpack for the hike.
pattern: crowd [things] into [container]
The small museum was crowded with paintings and pottery from India.
passive: be crowded with [things]
Yuna crowded her schedule with exams, rehearsals, and part-time work.
Twenty passengers crowded into the tiny elevator, though it was meant for six.
文法句型
crowd + noun (things) + into + noun
be crowded with + noun
crowd + into + noun
用法筆記
When transitive, the object is the container or space being filled. In the passive, 'with' introduces the things or people filling it ('crowded with tourists'). The intransitive use ('people crowded into the hall') describes the movement of the crowd filling the space.
常見錯誤
4. to make a group of people or animals move into a small or enclosed area, often b
to make a group of people or animals move into a small or enclosed area, often by pushing or guiding them
The farmer crowded the sheep into the pen before the storm arrived.
pattern: crowd [animals] into [enclosure]
Security guards crowded the protesters into a small area behind the building.
The teacher crowded the children onto the bus for the field trip.
Park rangers crowded the wild horses into a fenced area for the winter.
文法句型
crowd + noun + preposition (into/onto)
用法筆記
Always takes a direct object (the people or animals being moved) and a prepositional phrase indicating the destination. The agent is typically a person in a position of authority. This sense is less common in everyday speech than the 'pack tightly' sense.
5. to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or limit, especially one that
to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or limit, especially one that is notable or expected
My grandfather is crowding ninety and still tends his garden every morning.
pattern: crowd [age] — nearing a specific age
The runner's speed was crowding the world record during the final lap.
Sahil's savings are crowding the amount he needs for a down payment on a house.
The project budget is crowding the maximum amount the client agreed to pay.
文法句型
crowd + noun (age/amount)
用法筆記
Used informally, mostly in spoken English. The most common use is with ages ('crowding 40,' 'crowding 80'). Can also apply to speeds, prices, or other numerical milestones. Rare in formal writing.