pack
gb/pˈæk/ us/pˈæk/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Put items into a container
To put things into a bag, box, or other container so you can take them somewhere or keep them.
Usage pattern:
to pack [something] into [container]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pack' with 'wrap'; 'wrap' means to cover something, while 'pack' means to put it in a container.
Synonyms
fill (More general; can refer to putting anything into a space, not just for transport.)
|
load (Often used for vehicles or larger items, not small personal bags.)
Antonyms
unpack (To remove items from a container after travel or storage.)
Collocations
pack a suitcase
|pack a bag
|pack groceries
|pack lunch
|pack carefully
Themes
daily life
|travel
|shopping
|daily_life
Examples
- She packed her clothes into a small suitcase.
- Please pack the groceries carefully so nothing breaks.
- I need to pack my lunch before work.
- He packed all his books into boxes before moving.
- They packed the gifts neatly in colorful paper bags.
Learner examples
- I pack my clothes in a bag.
- She packs her lunch every day.
- We pack food for the trip.
- He packs books in a box.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Bundle of items together
A set of things sold or kept together in one package.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'pack' with 'bag'; a bag is a type of container, while a pack refers to the set of items inside.
Synonyms
package (More general term for something wrapped or boxed; may refer to single or multiple items.)
Collocations
a pack of cards
|a pack of cigarettes
|six-pack of soda
Themes
shopping
|commerce
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- I bought a pack of gum at the store.
- He opened a new pack of playing cards.
- She drank half a six-pack of soda.
- The store sells batteries in packs of four.
Learner examples
- I have a pack of gum.
- He buys a pack of milk.
- We need a pack of water.
- She opens a pack of cards.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Group of hunting animals
A group of wild animals that stay and hunt together.
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'pack' for all animal groups; many animals have different collective nouns.
Synonyms
herd (Refers to grazing animals; not predators.)
|
pride (Specific to lions.)
Collocations
wolf pack
|pack of dogs
Themes
animals
|nature
Examples
- A pack of wolves followed the deer through the forest.
- The stray dogs formed a pack and roamed the streets.
- Hyenas often hunt in packs.
Learner examples
- I see a pack of wolves.
- Dogs run in a pack.
- The pack hunts together.
- A pack follows the deer.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Bag carried on the back
A bag you carry on your back to hold things.
Synonyms
backpack (Most common modern term; 'pack' is shorter and less specific.)
Collocations
hiking pack
|back pack
Themes
travel
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- He carried a heavy pack up the mountain trail.
- I keep water and snacks in my hiking pack.
- Soldiers marched with full packs.
Learner examples
- I carry a pack on my back.
- The pack is heavy.
- She puts books in her pack.
- We take our packs on the trip.
Verb
B1
action
5
Press tightly to fill space
To put things close together so there is no space left.
Usage pattern:
to pack [something] tightly into [space]
Synonyms
cram (Informal; often used for fitting too much into a small space.)
Antonyms
spread out (To arrange with space between items.)
Collocations
pack tightly
|packed crowd
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- They packed the clothes tightly into the drawer.
- Fans packed the stadium for the big game.
- The books were packed onto the shelves.
Learner examples
- We pack clothes tightly in the box.
- The stadium is packed with people.
- He packs books on the shelf.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pack
IPA
GB/pˈæk/
US/pˈæk/
Syllables & stress
pack (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pack)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pack
- Plural: pack, packs
Verb
- Base: pack
- 3rd Person Singular: packs
- Present Participle: packing
- Past: packed
Word family
Expressions
pack it in
5/pˈæk ˈɪt ˈɪn/
idiom
informal
Stop doing something
To stop doing something, usually because you are tired or have had enough.
Examples
- After three hours of tennis, we decided to pack it in.
- He finally packed it in after years of trying.
pack one's bags
2/pˈæk wˈʌnz bˈæɡz/
idiom
Prepare to leave suddenly/permanently
To get your things ready so you can leave, often suddenly or forever.
Examples
- After the argument, she packed her bags and left.
- He was told to pack his bags and go.
pack up
1/pˈæk ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Gather things to leave
To put your things away so you are ready to go home or leave a place.
Examples
- It's late, let's pack up and go home.
- The campers packed up their tents in the morning.
six-pack
3/sˈɪks pˈæk/
fixed phrase
Six drinks or abs muscles
A package with six drinks, usually beer or soda; also muscles on the stomach that look like six parts.
Examples
- He bought a six-pack of beer for the party.
- He's been working out and now has a six-pack.
jam-packed
4/d͡ʒˈæm pˈækt/
fixed phrase
informal
extremely full or crowded
Very, very full or crowded, with almost no space left.
Examples
- The train was jam-packed during rush hour.
- The train was jam-packed with commuters.
- Her schedule is jam-packed today.
- My schedule is jam-packed this week.
- The stadium was jam-packed for the final match.