flotilla

flotilla — noun

1. a group of small boats or ships that travel together on water

1.名詞B2
釋義

a group of small boats or ships that travel together on water

例句

The fishing flotilla left the harbour at dawn, heading toward the open sea.

collocation: fishing flotilla

Quan guided his flotilla of three small boats through the narrow river channel.

pattern: flotilla of + [number] + boats

同義詞
  • fleet

    larger and more formal; usually refers to a nation's entire naval force or a large commercial shipping group

  • armada

    a very large military fleet, often with historical or dramatic connotations

  • convoy

    a group travelling together for protection or organisation, often accompanied by an escort

文法句型

a flotilla of [boats/ships]

2. many people or things that appear to form one big group, especially when they ar

2.名詞C1
釋義

many people or things that appear to form one big group, especially when they are moving

例句

A flotilla of reporters chased the singer from the hotel to the concert hall.

figurative: a flotilla of reporters

Romi received a flotilla of birthday cards from friends around the world.

同義詞
  • horde

    suggests a large, uncontrolled crowd, often with a slightly negative tone

  • swarm

    emphasises busy, chaotic movement; often used for insects or bustling crowds

  • crowd

    more general and neutral meaning a large number of people gathered together

文法句型

a flotilla of [people/things]

用法筆記

This figurative sense is informal and draws a humorous comparison between a crowd of people or things and a group of small boats moving together. It is most common in journalism and light writing.