herd
herd — noun
- herdsingular
- herdsplural
1. a collection of animals of a single species that stay close to one another, eith
a collection of animals of a single species that stay close to one another, either raised by people or living in the wild.
A herd of elephants crossed the dusty road near the village at sunset.
a herd of + [plural animal noun]
The farmer's dog helped move the herd of cows into the barn for the night.
We watched a large herd of deer grazing quietly in the meadow.
During the dry season the herd of buffalo stays close to the river.
A herd of wild horses ran freely across the open plains.
- flock
specifically for birds, sheep, or goats; not used for cattle, elephants, or wild mammals
- pack
for animals that hunt together, such as wolves or dogs; implies a more organised group
- drove
for a large number of animals being moved together, especially cattle or sheep
- swarm
for insects or small creatures moving in a mass; very different scale
文法句型
a herd of + [plural animal noun]
常見錯誤
2. a large crowd of people who are thought of as a single mass with no individual i
a large crowd of people who are thought of as a single mass with no individual identity, often used to suggest they follow others without thinking for themselves.
The politician chose to follow the herd rather than express his own views.
follow the herd — idiom-like collocation meaning to do what everyone else does
As the doors opened, a herd of shoppers rushed toward the sale tables.
Naoko prefers to think for herself instead of joining the herd.
The tour guide led a herd of tourists through the streets of the old town.
Liam felt lost in the herd of students moving between lecture halls.
- individual
a single person with their own identity
文法句型
the herd
a herd of + [plural people noun]
用法筆記
Often carries a negative tone, suggesting that the group lacks individuality or independent judgment. 'Herd mentality' and 'herd instinct' are common fixed phrases derived from this sense.
常見錯誤
herd — verb
- herdpresent simple I / you / we / they
- herds3rd person singular
- herding-ing form
- herdedpast simple
1. to gather and move a group of animals from one place to another, especially as p
to gather and move a group of animals from one place to another, especially as part of farming or ranching.
Every morning the rancher herds the sheep down to the watering hole.
herd + [animals] + [direction]
The cowboys spent all day herding the cattle across the wide valley.
Kemi learned to herd goats when she stayed on her uncle's farm in the hills.
A good sheepdog can herd hundreds of animals with just a few barks.
文法句型
herd + [animals] + [direction/preposition]
herd + [animals] + into/onto/toward
用法筆記
The object is always an animal or group of animals. The direction or destination is nearly always stated (into the pen, across the field, down the road).
常見錯誤
2. to move or push a group of people somewhere together, often in a forceful, impat
to move or push a group of people somewhere together, often in a forceful, impatient, or controlling way.
The airport staff herded the passengers through the security checkpoint.
herd + [people] + through [place]
Teachers herded the children onto the bus before the rain started.
Security guards herded the crowd away from the VIP entrance.
Protesters were herded into a cordoned area near the government building.
文法句型
be herded + [preposition]
herd + [people] + into/onto/through/toward
用法筆記
Unlike verb sense 1 (DRIVE ANIMALS), this sense often carries a negative or critical tone, suggesting that people are being treated roughly or without respect for their individual wishes. Frequent in passive constructions (be herded).
常見錯誤
❌ 'The manager herded the team into the meeting room with a smile.' (neutral) — If 'herd' implies force, use 'led' or 'guided' for a neutral, positive context.
3. if people or animals herd together or into a place, they come together and stay
if people or animals herd together or into a place, they come together and stay in a group, often for safety, warmth, or convenience.
The students herded together in the hallway waiting for the exam results.
herd together — intransitive use
During the fire drill everyone herded into the parking lot as instructed.
The penguins herded together on the ice to keep warm through the night.
After the concert ended the fans herded slowly toward the exits.
- crowd together
suggests tight physical closeness; less orderly than 'herd together'
- cluster
gather in a small, loose group; implies less purpose
- flock
for people or birds moving to a place in numbers; more natural for people going somewhere willingly
文法句型
herd together
herd + [preposition/adverb]
用法筆記
Unlike verb sense 2 (MOVE PEOPLE), this sense is intransitive — no one is forcing or moving the group; they come together by their own choice or instinct.