throng

[thrawng, throng]

noun

1. a multitude of people crowded or assembled together; crowd.

   Synonyms: assemblage, host, horde

2. a great number of things crowded or considered together.

   a throng of memories.

3. Chiefly Scot.,  pressure, as of work.

verb (used without object)

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

verb (used with object)

1. to crowd or press upon; jostle.

2. to fill or occupy with or as with a crowd.

   He thronged the picture with stars.

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

4. to fill by crowding or pressing into.

   They thronged the small room.

adjective

Scot. and North England.

1. filled with people or objects; crowded.

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

throng

/ θrɒŋ /

noun

1. a great number of people or things crowded together

verb

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

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

adjective

1. dialect,  (postpositive) busy

Other Word Forms

• interthronging adjective
• overthrong verb
• unthronged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of throng¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of throng¹

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

Synonym Study

See crowd ¹.

Example Sentences

But camped out at the hall in this ex-coal mining town, known for its cheese, was a throng of journalists and photographers from London – a rare sight for an election to the Welsh Parliament.

Read more on BBC

The first restaurant from electric-vehicle company Tesla debuted at the border of Hollywood and West Hollywood in July, drawing throngs of fans as well as protesters for months.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Penelope spotted some old schoolmates of her own among the throng, but she could not stop to exchange greetings now, not with the children unaccounted for.

Read more on Literature

Penelope watched anxiously as he fought his way against the throngs.

Read more on Literature

Markets throng during the day, and men stay out late eating grilled fish or playing snooker.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bunch 
• congregation 
• crush 
• flock 
• gathering 
• horde 
• mass 
• mob 
• multitude 
• sellout 
• swarm