amongst
prep.prep. in the middle of a group of people or things. It is a slightly more formal way to say 'among'.
prep. situated in the middle of or surrounded by a group of objects or people. Often used to indicate inclusion within a specific class or category.
I felt very comfortable amongst my old friends.
The small cottage was hidden amongst a dense cluster of ancient oak trees.
The document was eventually discovered amongst a pile of discarded manuscripts in the attic, though its historical significance was not immediately recognised by the estate executors.
From amongs + -t (excrescent), from among + -s (genitive). By surface analysis, among + -st (excrescent). Root among from Old English ongemang, from on (“in”) + gemang (“assemblage, mingling”).
Functions identically to 'among' but is more common in British English and formal literary contexts. Often preferred before words starting with a vowel.
amongst of the peopleamongst the peopleLike 'among', this word is a preposition and should not be followed by 'of'.