# horde

/ˈhɔɹd/ (US) · /hˈɔːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/horde
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a very large group of people or animals that is often noisy or hard to control. You use this word when you want to emphasize how crowded or overwhelming a group feels.

For teachers: a large, often disorganized or unruly group of individuals. Frequently carries a negative or slightly hyperbolic connotation when describing crowds.

## Examples

- A horde of tourists blocked the entrance to the museum.
- Every summer, a horde of shoppers descends on the city center for the annual sales.
- The peaceful village was suddenly overwhelmed by a horde of reporters seeking a statement from the reclusive author.

## Pitfalls

- Not "a gold hoard of people" but "a horde of people" — Learners often confuse 'horde' (a large group) with 'hoard' (a hidden store of money or valued objects).

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by a plural noun.

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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.