throng

[ thrawng, throng ]

/ θrɔŋ, θrɒŋ /

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noun

a multitude of people crowded or assembled together; crowd.

a great number of things crowded or considered together: a throng of memories.

Chiefly Scot. pressure, as of work.

verb (used without object)

to assemble, collect, or go in large numbers; crowd.

verb (used with object)

to crowd or press upon; jostle.

to fill or occupy with or as with a crowd: He thronged the picture with stars.

to bring or drive together into or as into a crowd, heap, or collection.

to fill by crowding or pressing into: They thronged the small room.

adjective Scot. and North England.

filled with people or objects; crowded.

(of time) filled with things to do; busy.

Nearby words

Origin of throng

before 1000; (noun) Middle English; Old English gethrang; cognate with Dutch drang, German Drang pressure, Old Norse thrǫng throng; (adj. and v.) Middle English; akin to the noun; compare obsolete thring to press

SYNONYMS FOR throng

1 horde, host; assemblage.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR throng ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ter·throng·ing, adjectiveo·ver·throng, verbun·thronged, adjective

Synonym study

1. See crowd¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for throng

The throng took a collective breath before retreating back behind their office doors.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cuomo shouted to the throng of elected officials gathered at the head of the parade.
Andrew Cuomo Can't Ignore It Now: He's Weak Even at Home|David Freedlander|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With that, he took a huff off a morning joint and moved into the throng of jovial patrons.
A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos|Steve Miller|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Choi surrounds her lovers with a throng of skillfully rendered supporting characters.
My Sentimental Education: Susan Choi’s Novel of Stormy Love|Wendy Smith|July 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

On arriving at 10 Downing Street she paused on the front step to address the throng of reporters.
Margaret Thatcher: The Accidental Feminist|Amanda Foreman|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the stern old elder rode up, the throng of onlookers meekly gave way for him.
Prairie Gold|Various
As she advanced to her place, after the prescribed courtesy to the Viceroy, her dark eyes searchingly scanned the throng of pages.
The Hill of Venus|Nathan Gallizier
"I don't doubt it," he agreed, his eye roving over the throng.
The Social Gangster|Arthur B. Reeve
The first care of the Indians, on hearing this news, was to send forth a horrible cry and to throng around the marks.
Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science, No. 23, February, 1873, Vol. XI. No. 23.|Various
He looked down at the throng on the wharf, and up and down the rail at his fellow passengers.
The Brand of Silence|Harrington Strong

British Dictionary definitions for throng

throng

/ (θrɒŋ) /

noun

a great number of people or things crowded together

verb

to gather in or fill (a place) in large numbers; crowd

(tr) to hem in (a person); jostle

adjective

Yorkshire dialect (postpositive) busy

Word Origin for throng

Old English gethrang; related to Old Norse throng, Old High German drangōd

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

throng

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

adjective Scot. and North England.

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Nearby words

Origin of throng

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for throng

British Dictionary definitions for throng

throng

noun

verb

adjective

Word Origin for throng