cluster
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cluster, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small group of things growing, gathered, or occurring closely together.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cluster
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English clyster, related to Germanic words meaning to clump or lump together; probably a close relative of the word clot.
Full origin of cluster →Frequently asked questions
What does “cluster” mean?
The word “cluster” means a small group of things growing, gathered, or occurring closely together. In plain terms, a tight bunch of things or people, or the act of grouping closely together.
How do you pronounce “cluster”?
“Cluster” is pronounced KLUHS-tuh (/ˈklʌstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cluster” in a sentence?
Here is “cluster” used in a sentence: “A cluster of grapes hung from the vine.”
What is another word for “cluster”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cluster” include constellate.
What part of speech is “cluster”?
Depending on how it is used, “cluster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cluster” come from?
The word “cluster” comes from Old English. From Old English clyster, related to Germanic words meaning to clump or lump together; probably a close relative of the word clot.
Is “cluster” a common word?
“Cluster” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cluster” have?
“Cluster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small group of things growing, gathered, or occurring closely together.
What is the difference between a cluster and a group?
A cluster is a group whose members sit closely together in space or time — stars, houses, or cases of illness packed into one small area. "Group" is more general and says nothing about how near the members are to one another.
What is the difference between cluster and clutter?
They look alike but mean different things. A cluster is a tight, often natural grouping of similar things, like a cluster of grapes, while clutter is an untidy mess of scattered objects. Cluster suggests order through closeness; clutter suggests disorder.
Do you say "cluster of" or "cluster around"?
Both are correct, but in different roles. The noun takes "of": a cluster of shops, a cluster of stars. The verb takes "around" or "together": reporters clustered around the door, and the houses cluster together on the hillside.
What is the difference between a cluster and a bunch?
A bunch usually describes things growing or fastened together, like a bunch of grapes or keys, and informally it just means "a lot." A cluster stresses that items sit close together as a compact group, and it is the more natural choice in technical or scientific writing, as in a cluster of cells.