noun
Common
mob
mob
Mob (noun) means a large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way. Example: “A noisy mob rushed through the market, knocking over several stalls.”
noun
1
A large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way.
"A noisy mob rushed through the market, knocking over several stalls."
"An angry mob gathered outside the courthouse."
"Security struggled to hold back the mob of fans."
2
Organized crime, especially the Mafia.
"The film is about a young man who gets mixed up with the mob."
"Rumours said the restaurant owner paid money to the mob every month."
"He claimed to have worked for the mob in his youth."
3
In Australian English, a group of animals, such as kangaroos, cattle, or sheep.
"The farmer counted a mob of sheep as they trotted through the gate."
"We drove slowly because a large mob of cattle was crossing the dusty road."
"A mob of kangaroos grazed near the fence line."
verb
1
To crowd around someone, often aggressively.
"Reporters mobbed the actor the moment he stepped out of the car."
"The shop was mobbed by eager shoppers on the first morning of the sale."
"Fans mobbed the singer as she left the venue."
How to use mob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, often unruly crowd of people, or (informally) organized crime.
UK vs US
In Australian English, "mob" also casually means any group, including of animals or people (e.g. "a mob of tourists").
Common pairings
an angry mob
mob mentality
the mob (mafia)
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Word forms
- Plural
- mobs
- Third person singular
- mobs
- Past tense
- mobbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A noisy _____ rushed through the market, knocking over several stalls.
Etymology
A shortening of the Latin phrase "mobile vulgus" ("fickle crowd"), via the English word "mobile."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “mob” mean?
The word “mob” means a large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way. In plain terms, a large, often unruly crowd of people, or (informally) organized crime.
How do you pronounce “mob”?
“Mob” is pronounced mob (/mɑb/ in IPA).
How do you use “mob” in a sentence?
Here is “mob” used in a sentence: “An angry mob gathered outside the courthouse.”
What part of speech is “mob”?
Depending on how it is used, “mob” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mob” come from?
The word “mob” comes from Latin. A shortening of the Latin phrase "mobile vulgus" ("fickle crowd"), via the English word "mobile.".
Is “mob” a common word?
“Mob” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mob” have?
“Mob” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way.
What is the difference between a mob and a crowd?
A crowd is simply a large gathering of people, while a mob is a large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way. Calling a group a mob implies it is out of control or threatening, so the word is far more negative than crowd.
Does the Mob mean the Mafia?
Yes. Used with the, and often capitalised, the Mob refers to organized crime, especially the Mafia, as in a mob boss or mob ties.
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