flock

USAGE SUMMARY

'flock' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use this word to refer to a large group of animals, especially birds. Example: A flock of geese flew south for the winter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Britons are expected to flock to parks and beaches and get out their barbecues to make the most of the period of sunshine, which starts on Wednesday.

The Guardian

"Though Pope Francis's heart is surely in the right place, he would do his flock and the world a disservice by putting his moral authority behind the United Nations' unscientific agenda on the climate," Joseph Bast, Heartland's president, said in a statement.

The Guardian

People flock here for fresh air and the unspoilt landscape of poppy-covered fields.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Bird flu outbreak continues as flock of millions registers infection in Iowa Egg supplies are falling short of demand, the US Department of Agriculture has indicated, and Brown said egg buyers such as grocery stores and wholesalers are trying to stock up for fear that another large farm with millions of chickens will be stricken – causing prices to spike higher.

The Guardian

It was like they were driving at a flock of birds – like they were little animals that could be disposed of.

The Guardian

One metro stop away, at Porta Genova, is Naviglio, a rough-around-the-edges canal-side area, home to the many young models who flock to Milan for work.

The Guardian - Travel

Locals flock to Paradise By Way of Kensal Green for contemporary British food and events such as burlesque afternoon tea.

The Guardian - Travel

To be entirely truthful we didn't flock to those games in the numbers that present-day scaremongers cite (Melbourne ODIs were lucky to pull 60,000 by the early 90s) but the pyjama game certainly ruled the TV ratings and by comparison with recent fixtures, we attended in droves.

The Guardian - Sport

Photograph: Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 6.54pm AESThe:54 The crowds are yet to flock in for Kevin Rudd's election night function at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The Guardian

Taking on Cockley Beck was an opportunity for Wrathall, formerly a self-employed farm worker, to run a decent fell farm with his own Herdwick flock.

The Guardian

But as soon as I sink into the soft flock cushions favoured by British Indian restaurants of the old school, all such worries melt away – I know exactly what I'm going to have.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flock" to describe people, ensure the context aligns with its connotation of a large, often undifferentiated group moving towards a common point.

Common error

Avoid using "flock" to describe small, organized groups. "Flock" implies a large, somewhat amorphous gathering, so using it for a small team or committee would be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flock" is as a noun, referring to a group of animals (especially birds or sheep) or people. It can also function as an intransitive verb, describing the act of gathering or moving together in large numbers, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "flock" functions as both a noun and a verb, primarily denoting a large group of animals or people gathering or moving together. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts. The usage of "flock" is most common in news and media, travel writing, and formal business communications. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the connotations of collective movement and aggregation when choosing to use this word. When describing organized groups, consider alternatives like "team" or "committee" instead of "flock".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather in large numbers

Emphasizes the action of people coming together.

congregate

Highlights a formal or planned gathering.

assemble

Suggests a more organized and purposeful gathering.

throng

Implies a dense and crowded group of people.

swarm

Suggests a large, moving group, often used for insects or people.

huddle

Describes a close gathering, often for warmth or protection.

group together

A general term for forming a group.

mass together

Similar to group together but implies a larger size and greater energy.

collect

Suggests a more deliberate act of gathering.

converge

Indicates different entities coming together from different directions.

FAQs

How can I use "flock" in a sentence?

You can use "flock" to describe a large group of birds, sheep, or people. For example, "A "flock" of tourists "flocked" to the museum."

What's a suitable synonym for "flock" when referring to people?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "flock" could be "crowd", "throng", or "group". Use "crowd" for a general gathering, "throng" for a dense mass, and "group" for any collection of individuals.

Is it correct to say "a flock of cars"?

While technically possible if used metaphorically to emphasize a large number moving together, it's not a standard usage. It's usually better to use "flock" for animals or people. For cars, "stream" or "convoy" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "flock" and "herd"?

"Flock" typically refers to a group of birds or sheep, while "herd" refers to a group of cattle or other grazing animals. Though both describe groups of animals, they are not interchangeable.