# mob

/ˈmɑb/ (US) · /mˈɒb/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. angry crowd

noun · CEFR B2

a large, noisy, and often violent group of people.

For teachers: a large or disorderly crowd of people, especially one intent on causing trouble or violence.

- An angry mob gathered outside the courthouse to protest the decision.
- The police struggled to contain the mob as it surged toward the gates of the embassy during the height of the riots.

### 2. organized crime

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a group of people involved in organized crime, like the Mafia.

For teachers: a criminal organization or syndicate, specifically referring to the Mafia or similar groups.

- He was arrested for his alleged connections to the local mob.
- Federal investigators spent years tracking the financial transactions of the mob before they finally secured enough evidence for an indictment.

### 3. gaming character

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a monster or character in a video game that you have to fight.

For teachers: a non-player character (NPC) in a video game, typically one that is hostile and intended for combat.

- The player was defeated after being surrounded by a large group of mobs.
- The game's difficulty spikes significantly when multiple high-level mobs spawn simultaneously in the dungeon.

### 4. group of animals

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect

a group of animals, especially sheep, cattle, or kangaroos.

For teachers: a collective noun for a group of animals, particularly livestock or Australian wildlife.

- A mob of kangaroos hopped across the road just as the sun was setting.
- The drover managed to keep the mob of cattle together despite the sudden thunderstorm that threatened to scatter them.

### 5. to crowd around

verb · CEFR B2

to crowd around someone in a noisy or excited way.

For teachers: to crowd around or surround someone, either with hostile intent or out of intense admiration.

- Fans began to mob the singer as soon as she stepped out of the car.
- Reporters continued to mob the witness, shouting questions and blocking his path to the waiting vehicle.

## Examples

- The angry mob gathered outside the building.
- Police were called to disperse the mob before any property damage could occur during the protest.
- Historians often distinguish between a peaceful assembly and a mob, noting that the latter is defined by a sudden shift toward collective aggression and volatility.

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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.