ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tribe

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈtɹaɪb// UK //tɹˈaɪb// tribe General-service Informal Vulgar

n. a group of people who share the same language, history, and culture, often living together under a leader. In modern life, it can also mean a group of friends or people who share the same interests.

n. a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties. In contemporary informal contexts, it refers to a distinct group of people sharing a common interest or identity.


SIMPLE

The local tribe has lived in this valley for centuries.

CONTEXTUAL

The festival attracted a whole tribe of music lovers who camped together in the fields.

Synonyms
Origin

PIE word *tréyes From Middle English tribe, tribu, from Old French tribu, from Latin tribus. Doublet of tribus.

Usage

Often used with 'of' to describe a specific group, such as 'a tribe of artists' or 'a tribe of followers'.

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