group
gb/ɡɹˈup/ us/ɡɹˈup/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
collection of people or things
A number of people or things together in one place or seen as one unit.
Usage pattern:
a group of [people/things]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'group' with 'team'; a team usually works together for a shared goal, while a group may not.
Synonyms
cluster (Often used for things close together, especially objects.)
|
set (Used more for items that belong together by design or category.)
Antonyms
individual (Refers to a single person or thing rather than a collection.)
Collocations
small group
|large group
|group of friends
|study group
|focus group
Themes
daily life
|society
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A group of tourists gathered near the monument.
- She joined a local hiking group to meet new people.
- The teacher divided the class into small groups for the project.
- The police questioned a group of witnesses after the accident.
Learner examples
- I saw a group of birds in the tree.
- We work in a group at school.
- There is a group of children in the park.
- He is part of a music group.
Verb
A2
action
2
put together in sets
To put people or things together because they are similar or for a reason.
Usage pattern:
to group [things/people] [by/into something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'group' without an object when they mean 'gather' or 'meet'. 'Group' as a verb usually needs an object.
Synonyms
classify (More formal and often used in academic or technical contexts.)
|
arrange (Broader term; can refer to ordering as well as grouping.)
Antonyms
separate (Means to move apart or keep apart instead of putting together.)
Collocations
group together
|group into categories
|group according to size
Themes
organization
|education
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The teacher grouped the students by reading level.
- We grouped the files according to their type.
- She grouped the chairs into rows for the meeting.
Learner examples
- The teacher grouped us into teams.
- Please group the books by color.
- We grouped all the red apples together.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
mathematical set with operation
In math, a set of numbers or objects that follow special rules when combined.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the everyday meaning of 'group' with its mathematical definition.
Synonyms
mathematical set (General term; not all sets are groups.)
Collocations
finite group
|abelian group
|symmetry group
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Examples
- In algebra, the integers under addition form an infinite group.
- The symmetry group of a square has eight elements.
- Group theory is essential in modern mathematics.
Learner examples
- We learned about groups in math class.
- A group has special rules in math.
- The teacher showed us an example of a math group.
Grammar
Dictionary form
group
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈup/
US/ɡɹˈup/
Syllables & stress
group (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (group)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: group
- Plural: groups
Verb
- Base: group
- 3rd Person Singular: groups
- Present Participle: grouping
- Past: grouped
Word family
Forms
groups
noun
grouping
verb
grouped
verb
Core family
subgroup
noun B2
regroup
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
ungroup
verb B2
Advanced or less common
groupthink
noun C1
Expressions
group together
1/ɡɹˈup təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
come together for a purpose
To come close to each other or form one unit for a reason.
Examples
- The protesters grouped together outside city hall.
- The kids grouped together to play a game.
in-group
1/ˈɪn ɡɹˈup/
fixed phrase
social circle one belongs to
A small social circle where people feel they belong and share identity.
Examples
- He quickly became part of the office in-group.
- Teenagers often try hard to be accepted into the in-group.
interest group
1/ˈɪntɚˌɛst ɡɹˈup/
fixed phrase
organized body for shared concerns
An organization that works to support and promote certain ideas or goals.
Examples
- Environmental interest groups are lobbying for stricter pollution controls.
- The law was supported by several interest groups.
out-group
1/ˈaʊt ɡɹˈup/
fixed phrase
social circle one is excluded from
A social circle where someone does not belong and may feel left out.
Examples
- New employees sometimes feel like they are in the out-group until they meet more colleagues.
- There is tension between the in-group and the out-group in many communities.