mob
Mob (noun) means a large, disorderly crowd, especially one acting in an unruly or aggressive way. Example: “An angry mob gathered outside the courthouse.”
How to use mob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, often unruly crowd of people, or (informally) organized crime.
In Australian English, "mob" also casually means any group, including of animals or people (e.g. "a mob of tourists").
Word forms
mobbed past tense, mobbed past tense, mobs plural, mobs plural, mobs singular, mobs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An angry _____ gathered outside the courthouse.
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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