flock
flok
Flock (noun) means a group of birds, sheep, or other animals gathered or travelling together. Example: “A flock of geese flew south for the winter.”
noun
1
A group of birds, sheep, or other animals gathered or travelling together.
"A flock of geese flew south for the winter."
"The shepherd counted his flock at dusk."
"A large flock of sheep blocked the narrow lane for ten minutes."
2
A large crowd of people, especially the members of a particular church or congregation.
"Tourists flock in flocks to the museum every summer."
"The vicar thanked his flock for their kindness during the church fair."
"A flock of visitors gathered outside the shop on opening day."
verb
1
To gather or travel together in large numbers.
"Fans flocked to the stadium hours before kickoff."
"Birds flock to our garden whenever we put out fresh seeds."
"People flock to the seaside whenever the weather turns warm."
How to use flock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of animals or people moving or gathering together, or the act of doing so.
Common pairings
a flock of sheep
flock together
flock to see something
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Word forms
- Plural
- flocks
- Third person singular
- flocks
- Past tense
- flocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of geese flew south for the winter.
Etymology
From Old English flocc ("crowd, troop"), a Germanic word also seen in Danish and Swedish flock.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for flock
See all rhymes for flock →Frequently asked questions
What does “flock” mean?
The word “flock” means a group of birds, sheep, or other animals gathered or travelling together. In plain terms, a group of animals or people moving or gathering together, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “flock”?
“Flock” is pronounced flok (/flɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “flock” in a sentence?
Here is “flock” used in a sentence: “A flock of geese flew south for the winter.”
What is another word for “flock”?
Words with a similar meaning to “flock” include bunch, gaggle, horde, host, legion and litter.
What part of speech is “flock”?
Depending on how it is used, “flock” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “flock” come from?
The word “flock” comes from Old English. From Old English flocc ("crowd, troop"), a Germanic word also seen in Danish and Swedish flock.
Is “flock” a common word?
“Flock” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “flock” have?
“Flock” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of birds, sheep, or other animals gathered or travelling together.
What is the difference between a flock and a herd?
A flock typically refers to birds or sheep gathered or travelling together, while a herd usually refers to larger grazing mammals such as cattle, deer, or elephants. The choice of collective noun often depends on the specific animal being described.
What does flock mean when referring to a church congregation?
When used figuratively, flock refers to a large crowd of people, especially the members of a particular church or congregation, drawing on the traditional image of a shepherd caring for a flock of sheep.
Can flock be used as a verb?
Yes, flock can be used as a verb meaning to gather or travel together in large numbers, as in 'tourists flocked to the beach during the holiday.'
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