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cluster

n. · v.
US //ˈkɫəstɝ// UK //klˈʌstɐ// clus·ter
  1. 1 a small group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a group of similar things or people positioned closely together.

    a number of similar things or people growing or grouped together in a compact way.

    Example

    A small cluster of fans waited outside the hotel to see the singer.

    Example

    The researchers identified a cluster of rare plants growing near the riverbank, suggesting a unique microclimate in that specific area.
  2. 2 data or science (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a group of stars, data points, or cases of a disease that appear close together.

    a statistically significant grouping of data points, celestial bodies, or medical cases within a specific area or timeframe.

    Example

    The telescope revealed a bright cluster of stars in the center of the galaxy.

    Example

    Health officials investigated a cluster of respiratory infections reported within the same three-block radius over the last fortnight.
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  1. 3 a chaotic mess (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    a situation where everything goes wrong or is very messy.

    a chaotic or poorly managed situation; often used as a polite shortening of a more vulgar term.

    Example

    The morning commute was a total cluster because of the broken train.

    Example

    The product launch turned into a complete cluster when the servers crashed and the marketing team lost access to their accounts.

    Usage

    Often used in professional environments to avoid using the full vulgar expression 'clusterfuck'.
  2. 4 to gather together (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to form a group or to move close together.

    to gather or grow into a cluster; to position objects or data into discrete groups.

    Example

    The children clustered around the teacher to hear the story.

    Example

    The cottages were clustered at the foot of the hill, protected from the harsh winds blowing off the Atlantic.
Origin

The noun is derived from Middle English cluster (“bunch, cluster, spray; compact body or mass, ball”) [and other forms], from Old English cluster, clyster (“cluster, bunch, branch”), from Proto-Germanic klas-, klus- (“to clump, lump together”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European gel- (“to ball up; to clench; to amass”)) + -þrą (suffix forming nouns denoting an instrument or tool). The English word is probably a doublet of clot. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * Dutch klister (“cluster”) (dialectal) * Icelandic klasi (“cluster; bunch of grapes”) * Low German Kluuster (“cluster”) * Swedish kluster (“cluster”)

Word family

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