mob

Everyday

1. (noun) A large, noisy, often angry crowd that may become violent. tree →
2. (verb) To crowd round someone in a big, excited or aggressive group: fans mob a star. tree →
3. (the Mob) Organised criminals, the Mafia. tree →
4. (informal, Australia) A group of people or animals, also a group of kangaroos or cattle; (Aboriginal English) a person's family, clan or community. tree →
5. (informal, UK) A gang or crowd of friends: «the whole mob». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons: angry mobs in revolutions. In news: «mob violence». In everyday life: «fans mobbed the singer». In Australia, «a mob of kangaroos» is the correct collective noun, and Aboriginal people may say «my mob» for their people. Safety: in a mob, people can get crushed or do things they would never do alone. Phrases: «angry mob», «mob rule», «mobbed by fans», «flash mob».

Examples

• An angry mob gathered outside the castle gates. tree →
• The footballer was mobbed by fans after the match. tree →
• We saw a mob of kangaroos in the paddock. tree →
• «Which mob are you from?» asked the Aboriginal elder. tree →
• The whole mob came round for Sunday lunch. tree →
• A flash mob suddenly started dancing in the shopping centre. tree →
• In the film, the Mob ran the city's gambling. tree →
• Just then they heard a shout of "Stop, thief!" and looking around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the road. tree →

Note

Verb doubles the b: mobbed, mobbing. A mob is usually seen as disorderly; a peaceful crowd is just a «crowd». «Mob rule» means rule by a crowd instead of by law. In Australian and NZ usage it is a normal, friendly word for a group.