tribe
8 synonyms for tribe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A social group made up of related families or clans, often sharing language, culture, and territory.
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.
kindred
tribus
How to use tribe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tribe of hunters
find your tribe
indigenous tribe
Etymology
From Latin tribus, originally referring to one of the three main divisions of the early Roman people, later broadened to mean any ethnic or social grouping.
Full origin of tribe →Frequently asked questions
What does “tribe” mean?
The word “tribe” means a social group made up of related families or clans, often sharing language, culture, and territory. In plain terms, a group of people bound together by shared ancestry, culture, or (informally) common interests and identity.
How do you pronounce “tribe”?
“Tribe” is pronounced tryb (/tɹaɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “tribe” in a sentence?
Here is “tribe” used in a sentence: “The museum exhibit explores the history of several Native American tribes.”
What is another word for “tribe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tribe” include tribus.
What part of speech is “tribe”?
“Tribe” is a noun.
Where does the word “tribe” come from?
The word “tribe” comes from Latin. From Latin tribus, originally referring to one of the three main divisions of the early Roman people, later broadened to mean any ethnic or social grouping.
Is “tribe” a common word?
“Tribe” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tribe” have?
“Tribe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a social group made up of related families or clans, often sharing language, culture, and territory.
What is the difference between a tribe and a clan?
A tribe is a social group made up of related families or clans that often share language, culture, and territory. A clan is usually a smaller unit within a tribe, made up of families claiming common descent. In short, a tribe can contain several clans.
What is the difference between a tribe and a nation?
A tribe is a group of related families or clans sharing culture and often a common area. A nation is a larger community usually united by shared identity and, in the modern sense, a state or government. A nation can include many tribes.
