From Middle English bunche, bonche (“hump, swelling”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a variant of *bunge (compare dialectal bung (“heap, grape bunch”)), from Proto-Germanic *bunkō, *bunkô, *bungǭ (“heap, crowd”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰenǵʰ-, *bʰénǵʰus (“thick, dense, fat”). Cognates include Saterland Frisian Bunke (“bone”), West Frisian bonke (“bone, lump, bump”), Dutch bonk (“lump, bone”), Low German Bunk (“bone”), German Bunge (“tuber”), Danish bunke (“heap, pile”), Faroese bunki (“heap, pile”); Hittite [Term?] (/⁠panku⁠/, “total, entire”), Tocharian B pkante (“volume, fatness”), Lithuanian búožė (“knob”), Ancient Greek παχύς (pakhús, “thick”), Sanskrit बहु (bahú, “thick; much”)). Alternatively, perhaps from a variant or diminutive of bump (compare hump/hunch, lump/lunch, etc.); or from dialectal Old French bonge (“bundle”) (compare French bongeau, bonjeau, bonjot), from West Flemish bondje, diminutive of West Flemish bond (“bundle”).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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cluster group bundle batch clump collection lot crew crowd gang caboodle bunch up

Related words

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Rhymes for bunch

inch tench bench conch lunch punch wench finch lynch cinch pinch winch

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bunch” mean?

The word “bunch” means a group of similar things gathered or fastened together. In plain terms, a cluster of things (or people) gathered together, or informally, a good amount of something.

How do you pronounce “bunch”?

“Bunch” is pronounced buhnch (/bʌnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bunch” in a sentence?

Here is “bunch” used in a sentence: “She bought a bunch of bananas at the market.”

What part of speech is “bunch”?

Depending on how it is used, “bunch” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “bunch” a common word?

“Bunch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “bunch” have?

“Bunch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of similar things gathered or fastened together.

What is the difference between a bunch and a bundle?

A bunch is a group of similar things naturally clustered together, like grapes, flowers, or keys. A bundle is a collection tied or wrapped up for carrying, such as a bundle of sticks or papers. A bunch emphasises grouping; a bundle emphasises being fastened together for transport.

What is an example of a bunch?

Common examples include a bunch of grapes, a bunch of bananas, a bunch of flowers, or a bunch of keys. In each case, several similar items are gathered or held together as a single unit, whether growing that way naturally or arranged deliberately by hand.

Is "a bunch of" formal or informal?

When it means a large amount or number — "a bunch of people" or "a bunch of reasons" — the phrase is casual and best kept to informal speech and writing. Referring to physical clusters, such as a bunch of grapes or flowers, is perfectly standard in any register.

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