noun
Common
drove
drohv
Drove (noun) means a herd of animals being driven together, or a large moving crowd of people. Example: “A drove of cattle blocked the country lane.”
noun
1
A herd of animals being driven together, or a large moving crowd of people.
"A drove of cattle blocked the country lane."
"Droves of fans lined up outside the stadium before the match."
"Tourists arrive in droves every summer to see the beach."
How to use drove
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of animals (or people) moving together, usually being driven or herded.
Common mistake
Also the simple past tense of "drive" (he drove the car) — a different, unrelated grammatical use of the same spelling.
Common pairings
in droves
a drove of cattle
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Word forms
- Plural
- droves
- Third person singular
- droves
- Past tense
- droved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of cattle blocked the country lane.
Etymology
From Old English drāf, meaning a herding or driving of animals — closely related to the verb "drive."
Related words
Rhymes for drove
See all rhymes for drove →Frequently asked questions
What does “drove” mean?
The word “drove” means a herd of animals being driven together, or a large moving crowd of people. In plain terms, a group of animals (or people) moving together, usually being driven or herded.
How do you pronounce “drove”?
“Drove” is pronounced drohv (/dɹoʊv/ in IPA).
How do you use “drove” in a sentence?
Here is “drove” used in a sentence: “A drove of cattle blocked the country lane.”
What part of speech is “drove”?
“Drove” is a noun.
Where does the word “drove” come from?
The word “drove” comes from Old English. From Old English drāf, meaning a herding or driving of animals — closely related to the verb "drive.".
Is “drove” a common word?
“Drove” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is drove the past tense of drive or a noun?
It is both. "Drove" is the simple past tense of the verb "drive," as in "she drove home," and it is also a separate noun meaning a herd of animals being driven together or a large moving crowd of people.
What is the difference between a drove and a herd?
A "herd" is any group of animals of one kind living or kept together. A "drove" specifically suggests movement: it is a herd being driven from one place to another, and by extension a large crowd of people on the move.
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