# crowd

/ˈkɹaʊd/ (US) · /kɹˈaʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crowd
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a large group of people

noun · CEFR A2

a large number of people who have gathered together in the same place.

For teachers: a large number of people gathered together in a disorganized or close-knit body.

- A huge crowd gathered outside the stadium to wait for the band.
- The police struggled to manage the growing crowd as protesters began to spill over the barricades into the main square.

### 2. a specific social group

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a group of people who spend time together or share the same interests.

For teachers: a particular set or clique of people characterized by a common interest or social circle.

- I don't really hang out with the artsy crowd at school.
- He found himself alienated from the corporate crowd, preferring the company of independent entrepreneurs and freelancers.

### 3. to fill a space

verb · CEFR B1

to move into a space until it is full or uncomfortable.

For teachers: to fill a space by pressing or thronging together; to occupy a space in large numbers.

- Shoppers began to crowd the aisles as soon as the sale started.
- Commuters began to crowd the platform, pushing forward in anticipation of the final train of the evening.

### 4. to stand too close

verb · CEFR B2

to stand or move too close to someone in a way that makes them uncomfortable.

For teachers: to press or stand uncomfortably close to someone, often used in the context of personal space.

- I felt like the person behind me in line was starting to crowd me.
- The defender was warned by the referee for crowding the striker before the ball was even in play.

### 5. nautical usage

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to use too many sails on a boat to try and go faster.

For teachers: to carry an excessive amount of sail in an attempt to maximize speed, often at the risk of safety.

- The captain decided to crowd sail to reach the port before the storm hit.
- In a desperate bid to outrun the privateers, the merchant vessel began to crowd sail despite the rising gale.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'to crowd sail'.

## Examples

- A large crowd gathered to watch the parade.
- The police had to manage the crowd that formed outside the stadium before the concert started.
- The speaker struggled to make her voice heard over the restless crowd, which had grown increasingly impatient during the long delay.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.