Definition

Verb: - To move or gather closely into a mass or group, often in a confined space. It implies a lack of order or personal space as people or things press together.

Usage

This verb describes the action of many individual entities coming into close physical proximity, often resulting in a dense, packed group. It is typically used for people but can apply to animals or objects. The phrase emphasizes the collective movement and the resulting crowded state.

Examples

• Verb:
  • During the fire alarm, people began to crowd together at the emergency exit.
  • The sheep crowded together for warmth in the corner of the field.
  • Books and papers crowded together on the small desk, leaving no space to work.

Advanced Usage

• "to crowd together for...": This structure specifies the reason for gathering closely.
  • The spectators crowded together for a better view of the parade.
• The verb can be used in a passive sense to describe a state.
  • The passengers were crowded together in the small lifeboat.

Variants and Related Words

• Crowd (verb): To fill or occupy a space with many people or things, often to excess.
  • Fans crowded the stadium entrance.
• Huddle (verb): To crowd together, often for warmth, comfort, or secrecy. It implies a closer, more intimate gathering than "crowd together."
  • The football team huddled to discuss the next play.

Synonyms

• Cluster: To come together in a small, close group.
• Congregate: To gather into a crowd or mass.
• Throng: To crowd or press together in large numbers.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Crowd around: To gather closely around a central point or person.
  • The children crowded around the storyteller.
• Crowd in: To force one's way into a crowded space; or for thoughts/memories to press upon the mind.
  • Memories of that day crowded in as I looked at the old photograph.

Related Idioms

• Pack in like sardines: To be crowded together extremely tightly. (This is a more vivid, idiomatic expression for a similar concept.)
  • The commuters were packed in like sardines on the subway car.

Verb

1. to gather together in large numbers
   • men in straw boaters and waxed mustaches crowded the verandah