huddle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "huddle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "huddle" to refer to an instance of a group of people gathering together and pressing close together, usually for warmth or privacy. For example: The team huddled together in the locker room before the big game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The menace had been all German, the South Americans' anxiety prompting a huddle just inside the mouth of the tunnel as they sought urgency with the intrusive television cameras shoved away by Martín Demichelis.

The Guardian - Sport

In market stalls beside them, women huddle together whispering to each other and knitting alpaca woollen hats and socks to sell to tourists.

The Guardian - Travel

We huddle forlornly on some thin white towels I borrowed from our chalet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Australia celebrate with a very loud sing-song in the huddle.

The Guardian - Sport

Jeb Bush will convene next week with a clutch of coalmining barons and reliable Republican party donors who have paid at least $7,500 each to huddle in secret with the presidential hopeful at a golfing and fly-fishing retreat in a hidden-away corner of Virginia.

The Guardian

Blocks of flats huddle together, boxing the ground in on three sides, washing strung from one side of the street to the next, periodically dropping pants on the pavement.

The Guardian - Sport

The talks – originally scheduled to wrap up at 12pm after 10 days – are now expected to run well into Saturday, as negotiators huddle over a new draft text many glimpsed for the first time only morning.

The Guardian

At the press huddle after his election at Glasgow's Emirates Arena last Saturday, he made another journalist swap seats with him so he could see the Celtic stadium out the window.

The Guardian

Following a spirited pre-match huddle, Gretna started with a determination that continued throughout, although they were aided by Aberdeen playing at a plodding pace for the most part.

The Guardian - Sport

Graeme Virtue Michaela Strachan, Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games, heads full of facts and hair full of leaf bits, huddle in damp fleeces for another spell in Suffolk's beauteous Minsmere nature reserve.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He mimes a timid huddle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports, consider using "huddle" to describe the team's strategic meeting before a play. It suggests a moment of focused planning and coordination.

Common error

While "huddle" is versatile, it can sound informal in strictly professional settings. Opt for terms like "meet", "convene", or "assemble" when a more serious tone is needed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "huddle" is as a verb, describing the action of crowding together. It can also function as a noun, referring to a close gathering or meeting, especially in sports, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

The Economist

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Travel

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "huddle" is a versatile word functioning primarily as a verb or noun, signifying a gathering for warmth, strategic planning, or protection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sport domains, "huddle" carries a neutral tone, though it can lean towards informality in certain settings. Alternatives include "gather together" or "cluster around", offering slight variations in emphasis. Remember to consider the formality of your writing and avoid overuse in strictly professional contexts. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively employ "huddle" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huddle up

This intensifies the action of "huddle", suggesting a tighter formation.

gather together

Emphasizes the act of coming together as a group, often for a specific purpose.

crowd together

Highlights the close proximity and density of the group.

cluster around

Implies a group forming around a central point or object.

convene

Suggests a more formal or official gathering.

assemble

Indicates a more organized or structured gathering.

flock together

Implies a large group moving or gathering in a similar direction or location.

meet up

A more casual way of saying to meet or gather.

get together

A general term for a social gathering or meeting.

meet in secret

Emphasizes the privacy or confidentiality of the meeting.

FAQs

How can I use "huddle" in a sentence?

You can use "huddle" to describe people crowding together for warmth, privacy, or discussion, as in "The team "huddled" before the game", or "They "huddled" around the fire to keep warm".

What are some synonyms for "huddle"?

Alternatives to "huddle" include "gather together", "crowd together", or "cluster around", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "huddle" instead of "meet"?

"Huddle" suggests a closer, more informal gathering, often implying urgency or intimacy. Use "meet" in more formal or structured situations. Think of it this way, you might "huddle" with your team before a play, but you'd probably meet with your boss in their office.

What does it mean to "huddle up"?

"Huddle up" is an intensified version of "huddle", emphasizing the act of drawing even closer together. It's often used in sports to call the team together for a quick pep talk or strategy session.