tribe
gb/tɹˈaɪb/ us/tɹˈaɪb/
B1
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
traditional ethnic social group
A group of families or clans, often Indigenous, that live together and share the same culture, language, and history.
Usage pattern:
the [name] tribe in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'tribe' for any national or cultural group, which can sound old-fashioned or offensive in modern English. For many communities, it is better to say 'people', 'community', 'nation', or the specific group name (for example, 'the Māori people' instead of 'the Māori tribe') unless 'tribe' is their own preferred term. Learners also confuse 'tribe' (the group) with 'tribal' (the adjective, as in 'tribal leaders', 'tribal land').
Synonyms
ethnic group (More formal and neutral; focuses on shared ancestry and culture without the traditional or Indigenous associations that 'tribe' can suggest.)
|
people (A broad, often more respectful word for a large cultural group; does not necessarily imply a small or traditional society.)
Antonyms
individual (Contrasts a single person with a large, organized social group.)
Collocations
indigenous tribe
|local tribe
|native tribe
|tribe member
|tribe leader
|ancient tribe
Themes
society
|culture
|history
|relationships
|politics
Examples
- The Maasai tribe live across parts of Kenya and Tanzania.
- Many members of the tribe still follow traditional customs and ceremonies.
- The new agreement was negotiated with leaders from several neighboring tribes.
- Archaeologists discovered evidence of a previously unknown tribe in the valley.
- In the Bible, the twelve tribes of Israel each had their own territory.
Learner examples
- The tribe lives near the big river.
- Each tribe has its own language.
- The tribe chooses a new leader every five years.
- People in this tribe wear very colorful clothes.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
2
group with shared interests or identity
A group of people who like the same things or live in a similar way and feel close to each other.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s tribe of [people]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this informal sense of 'tribe' in serious or formal contexts, where 'community', 'group', or 'network' sounds more natural. They may also confuse it with 'gang', which often suggests crime or violence, while 'tribe' in this sense is usually positive or supportive.
Synonyms
community (Slightly more formal and common in serious writing; can refer to any group with something in common, not only a close, identity-based group.)
|
circle (Suggests a small, fairly close group of friends or contacts, without necessarily sharing a strong identity or mission.)
Antonyms
outsider (Refers to someone who is not accepted as part of the group and does not share its identity.)
Collocations
online tribe
|creative tribe
|fitness tribe
|find your tribe
|your tribe
|supportive tribe
Themes
relationships
|culture
|lifestyle
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After moving to the city, it took her a while to find her tribe.
- This conference brings together a tribe of people who care deeply about climate action.
- Gamers often talk about their online tribe as if it were a second family.
- In that company, the marketing tribe works closely with the design tribe.
- On social media, he finally discovered a tribe that understood his experiences.
Learner examples
- At university, he finally found his tribe.
- I am looking for a tribe of people who love books.
- She feels safe when she is with her tribe.
- Online, you can meet a tribe of music fans.
Noun
technical
C1
relation
3
biological rank below family
In biology, a level in the scientific naming system that is between a family and a genus, used to group similar living things.
Usage pattern:
the tribe [Name] within the family [Name]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this technical sense refers to people, because they know the everyday meaning of 'tribe'. In scientific texts about plants, animals, or bacteria, 'tribe' usually refers to a level of classification, not to a human social group.
Synonyms
taxonomic group (A general technical term for any level in biological classification, not only the rank called a 'tribe'.)
Antonyms
species (A much lower and more specific taxonomic rank; often contrasted with higher ranks like genus, tribe, or family.)
Collocations
plant tribe
|animal tribe
|tribe level
|tribe classification
|tribe within the family
|the tribe Hominini
Themes
science
|biology
Examples
- Humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos are placed in the tribe Hominini.
- The researchers proposed a new tribe within the sunflower family to group these related genera.
- In some classifications, this genus is moved to a different tribe based on DNA evidence.
Learner examples
- In biology class, we learned that a tribe is between a family and a genus.
- The teacher wrote the name of the tribe on the board.
- Scientists put similar genera into the same tribe.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tribe
IPA
GB/tɹˈaɪb/
US/tɹˈaɪb/
Syllables & stress
tribe (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tribe)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tribe
- Plural: tribes
Word family
Forms
tribes
noun
Core family
tribal
adjective B2
Related words
tribesperson
noun
tribally
adverb
Advanced or less common
tribalism
noun
tribalist
noun
tribalistic
adjective
Expressions
a tribe of
1/ə tɹˈaɪb əv/
fixed phrase
informal
a large group of similar people
Used before a plural noun to mean a large number of similar people or animals, often moving or acting together.
Examples
- A tribe of kids ran across the playground, shouting and laughing.
- We were followed by a tribe of hungry cats hoping for food.
- Every weekend, a tribe of cyclists speeds past my house.
find your tribe
1/fˈaɪnd jˈʊɹ tɹˈaɪb/
idiom
informal
discover people you fit in with
To meet and connect with people who feel right for you because they share your interests, values, or way of life.
Examples
- It can take time to find your tribe when you start at a new school.
- Joining that writers' group helped me find my tribe.
- On the internet, many shy people finally find their tribe.