group
/ɡɹuːp/
This term functions as a collective noun, shifting the focus from individual members to the entity as a whole. It implies a shared characteristic, purpose, or physical proximity that binds the elements together, creating a perceived singularity from multiple parts. Depending on the context, the word can evoke different social dynamics. In a professional setting, it suggests a structured team or department, whereas in a social setting, it often implies an informal cluster of friends or a specific clique.
Countable as a unit of people or things.
💬Casual Conversation
I am totally crashing. This study group is a joke.
JUST TELL THE GROUP YOU NEED A NAP DEAR
Meanings
Examples
Look, there is a group of strangers by the door.
God, why is this group of idiots still talking?
I just need a small group to help me move.
Listen, this group of investors is actually quite serious.
Wait, is that group of kids actually fighting?
I cannot believe your group forgot the appetizers again!
We have a group of specialists waiting for you.
I feel so lonely in this group of people.
Collocations & Compounds
peer group
a social group of people of similar age or status
He felt pressured by his peer group to smoke.
blood group
a classification of blood based on antigens
I need to know your blood group before the surgery.
focus group
a small group of people used for market research
The focus group hated the new packaging.
group effort
a task completed by a collective
Cleaning the garage was a massive group effort.
control group
the group in an experiment that does not receive treatment
The control group showed no change in symptoms.
Phrasal Verbs
group together
to gather people or things into a unit
We should group together the files by date.
Idioms & Sayings
group together
to gather or collect people or things into a single unit
The teacher asked the students to group together by their project topics.
in a group
acting or moving as a collective rather than individually
The tourists traveled in a group to ensure everyone stayed safe.
Cultural Context
The Psychology of the Group: Why We Seek the Herd
The human impulse to form a group is not merely a social preference but a biological imperative rooted in evolutionary survival. For our ancestors, being part of a cohesive group meant the difference between life and death; those who were ostracized faced the elements and predators alone, while those in a group shared the burdens of hunting and childcare.<br><br>This primal drive manifests today in the phenomenon of groupthink, where the desire for harmony in a decision-making group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. When the need for belonging outweighs the need for critical evaluation, individuals often suppress dissenting viewpoints to maintain the unity of the group. This psychological tension between individual identity and collective cohesion defines much of our modern social structure, from the intense loyalty of sports fans to the echo chambers of social media. Understanding the group dynamic reveals that while we are individual beings, our minds are hardwired to synchronize with the collective, seeking safety and validation in the presence of others.
Etymology
The word 'group' entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French 'groupe', which itself derived from Italian 'gruppo' or 'groppo'. The ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly from a Germanic word related to 'grop-' meaning 'to bunch' or 'cluster'. Initially, it referred to a cluster or collection of things, later evolving to mean a number of people gathered together.