gang
GANG
Gang (noun) means a group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose. Example: “Police say the graffiti was left by a local gang marking its territory.”
noun
1
A group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose.
"Police say the graffiti was left by a local gang marking its territory."
"Rival gangs have controlled different parts of the neighborhood for years."
"The film is about a teenager who is pressured to join a street gang."
2
Informally, any close group of friends or associates.
"The whole gang met up at the diner after the game."
"Our gang has been going to the same cafe every Saturday since school."
"Are the old gang coming to your birthday party this year?"
3
A team of workers operating together under one supervisor.
"A work gang was repairing the tracks overnight."
"The foreman told the gang to start laying the new pipes at dawn."
"A gang of labourers was clearing fallen trees from the road."
verb
1
To act together as a group, especially to attack or confront someone (usually "gang up on").
"The other kids ganged up on him during recess."
"It is unfair when everyone gangs up on the youngest player in the team."
"My brothers always gang up on me whenever we play board games."
How to use gang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group bound together by a shared purpose, ranging from criminal organizations to a casual circle of friends.
Common pairings
gang up on
gang member
street gang
gang violence
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gang.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gangs
- Third person singular
- gangs
- Past tense
- ganged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police say the graffiti was left by a local _____ marking its territory.
Etymology
From Old English gangan, "to go or walk" — the sense shifted from simply "a group going somewhere together" to today's meaning of an organized, often criminal, group.
Related words
Rhymes for gang
See all rhymes for gang →Frequently asked questions
What does “gang” mean?
The word “gang” means a group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose. In plain terms, a group bound together by a shared purpose, ranging from criminal organizations to a casual circle of friends.
How do you pronounce “gang”?
“Gang” is pronounced GANG (/ˈɡeɪ̯ŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gang” in a sentence?
Here is “gang” used in a sentence: “Police say the graffiti was left by a local gang marking its territory.”
What part of speech is “gang”?
Depending on how it is used, “gang” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gang” come from?
The word “gang” comes from Old English. From Old English gangan, "to go or walk" — the sense shifted from simply "a group going somewhere together" to today's meaning of an organized, often criminal, group.
Is “gang” a common word?
“Gang” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gang” have?
“Gang” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose.
Is 'gang' always a negative word?
No. It often refers to criminals, like a street gang or a drug gang, and there it carries clear disapproval. But 'gang' can be neutral or even affectionate: a 'gang of friends,' the 'whole gang' at a party, or a railway 'work gang.' Tone and context decide whether it sounds threatening or friendly.
What is the difference between a gang and a club?
A club is usually a formal, organized group with membership, rules, and a legitimate shared interest. A gang is looser and more identity-driven, bound by loyalty and a common purpose rather than paperwork. The word 'gang' also leans toward the criminal or the unofficial, whereas 'club' sounds respectable and above-board.
What are some types of gangs?
The word covers a wide range. Criminal kinds include street gangs, biker gangs, and organized crime rings. But it also names harmless or work-related groups, such as a chain gang of labourers, a road-repair gang, or simply a gang of mates. The shared idea is a tight group acting together.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gang:
