What is crowd? Pronunciation and usage in English

crowd means . Learn how to pronounce and use crowd through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of crowd

crowdnoun

/kraʊd/
Definition & pronunciation of crowd

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "crowd" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few tips:

The Standard Pronunciation:

  • KROOD (rhymes with "mood")

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. “Crow” (KROH): This part is key.

    • "C" is pronounced like the "c" in "cat."
    • “Row” (ROH): This is the tricky part! It sounds like "row" (as in, a boat row), but the "o" is shorter and more rounded than a typical "o." It's a slightly reduced vowel. Think of it almost as a quick, short "oh" sound.
  2. “D” (D): This is pronounced as a simple "d" sound, like in "dog."

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Don’t over-emphasize the “row” part: It’s a quick, almost swallowed "oh" sound. Too much emphasis on a long "o" will sound wrong.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce crowd" on Google. You'll often get audio files.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/crowd/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying “crow” instead of “KROOD”: This is a very common mistake.
  • Pronouncing the “o” in “row” too long: Keep it short and quick.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you another example word with a similar sound?

Usage and examples with the word crowd in English

Let's break down how to use the word "crowd" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. A Large Group of People:

  • Most Common Meaning: This is the primary definition – a large number of people gathered together in one place.
    • Example: "There was a huge crowd at the concert."
    • Example: "The crowd surged forward when the band came on stage."
    • Example: "Police were trying to control the crowd outside the stadium."

2. As a Verb (To Gather in a Group):

  • To gather together in a large group:
    • Example: "The protesters crowded around the mayor's office."
    • Example: "The children crowded into the room to see the magician."

3. Figurative Meanings (Beyond Just Physical Groups):

  • A Dense or Busy Atmosphere: This is a more figurative use, suggesting something feels packed or overwhelming.

    • Example: "The restaurant was packed with a crowd of diners." (meaning it was very busy and full)
    • Example: "There was a crowd of people waiting at the bus stop." (suggesting a lot of people, possibly a tense or impatient atmosphere)
  • A Large Number (often used in abstract contexts): Less common, but you might see it used to describe a large quantity of something.

    • Example: "A crowd of opinions on the matter." (meaning a large number of differing viewpoints)

4. Phrases Using "Crowd":

  • Crowd control: The methods used to manage a large group of people, often to maintain order and safety.

    • "The police used crowd control measures to disperse the demonstration."
  • Crowd surfing: A stunt where people are carried on top of a crowd at a concert.

  • Crowd-funded: Financed by a large number of people, typically through online platforms.

    • "They launched a crowd-funded campaign to build a new playground."

Tips for Using "Crowd" Effectively:

  • Adjectives: Use adjectives to add detail to your description of the crowd:

    • Large crowd
    • Small crowd
    • Excited crowd
    • Peaceful crowd
    • Disorderly crowd
  • Context is Key: The meaning of “crowd” is usually clear from the surrounding words.

  • Synonyms: Consider these synonyms depending on the nuance you want to convey:

    • Group
    • Gathering
    • Assembly
    • Mass
    • Multitude

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write? (e.g., a story, an email, a report)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Practice with vocabulary crowd

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The security team had difficulty controlling the large _________ that had gathered outside the stadium.
  2. The professor's lecture drew a significant _________ of students, indicating high interest in the topic.
  3. Despite the unexpected _________ of people, the event organizers managed to maintain order.
  4. The company decided to target a niche _________ for their new luxury product, rather than the general public.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The protest was effective because a substantial _________ showed up to voice their concerns. a) congregation b) multitude c) throng d) crowd

  2. To manage the large number of attendees, the event staff had to direct the _________ through designated entry points. a) audience b) populace c) crowd d) assembly

  3. The unexpected large _________ at the product launch created a buzz but also logistical challenges. a) turnout b) gathering c) crowd d) multitude

  4. The team formed a small _________ to discuss the immediate steps for the project. a) clique b) faction c) committee d) cluster

  5. Due to the heavy rainfall, only a small _________ of spectators remained until the end of the outdoor concert. a) attendance b) handful c) complement d) body

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Many people assembled in the town square to protest the new policy. (Rewrite using "crowd" or a related word form.)
  2. The exhibition hall became very full as soon as the doors opened. (Rewrite using "crowd" or a related word form.)
  3. The group of experts submitted their final report to the board of directors. (Rewrite without using "crowd", but use a suitable replacement word.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. crowd
  2. audience
  3. crowd
  4. segment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) multitude, c) throng, d) crowd
  2. c) crowd
  3. a) turnout, b) gathering, c) crowd, d) multitude
  4. c) committee
  5. b) handful

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. A large crowd assembled in the town square to protest the new policy.
  2. The exhibition hall became very crowded as soon as the doors opened.
  3. The panel of experts submitted their final report to the board of directors.

Comment ()