milling crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "milling crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people moving around in a disorganized or aimless manner, often in a public space. Example: "The milling crowd at the festival created a vibrant atmosphere, with people chatting and enjoying the various attractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Inside, a young man was singing the national anthem to a small, milling crowd.

The New Yorker

A young man suddenly bent over in the milling crowd waiting for a bus after school.

The New York Times

Beyond the arch is another well-lit area, from which we occasionally hear the sounds of a milling crowd of mourners.

The New Yorker

The Minister zipped up and walked with as much dignity as could be managed back through the milling crowd, accepting the sweat of many strangers.

The New Yorker

In doing so, I stumbled into a milling crowd of editors who had gathered there to vote in various committees for the prestigious National Magazine awards.

The Guardian

At 8.45am on a grey Saturday, having trudged through Norwich's Eaton Park to join a milling crowd of 500 people, it hits me that what I'm about to do is unwise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It brought a sense of dignity to what had previously been a site of milling crowds.

The New York Times - Arts

Shot in Morocco and in Pinewood Studios in Britain, the film is crammed with swirling sand, milling crowds, computer-generated cities and assorted narrative bits and pieces, some borrowed from the studio playbook (everyone speaks in a British accent, even, alas, Mr. Gyllenhaal), others recycled from the video game series by Jordan Mechner, who has a story credit.

The New York Times

The place is invariably crowded and frenetic though, with milling crowds of preschoolers, teenagers and adults ambling about.

Forbes

Expert forensic teams are searching for clues at the blast spot, hampered by milling crowds.

The New York Times

Description of Union Square, its milling crowds, the opening of the Fair and the ensuing bedlam.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "milling crowd" to vividly depict a group moving without clear direction, creating a sense of activity or potential chaos in a scene.

Common error

Avoid using "milling crowd" to describe a stationary group. "Milling" implies movement, so it's inaccurate to use it for a crowd that is standing still.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "milling crowd" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a group of people in motion, often without a clear direction. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "milling crowd" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a group of people moving around in a disorganized manner. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in news and media contexts. The phrase effectively communicates a sense of activity and potential chaos. Common alternatives include "wandering throng" and "drifting multitude". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wandering throng

Replaces "milling" with "wandering" and "crowd" with "throng", suggesting a more aimless and large group.

drifting multitude

Substitutes "milling" with "drifting" and "crowd" with "multitude", conveying a sense of slow, undirected movement within a large number of people.

roaming assembly

Changes "milling" to "roaming" and "crowd" to "assembly", implying a more organized, yet still mobile, group.

swirling mass

Replaces "milling crowd" with "swirling mass", focusing on the chaotic and circular movement of the group.

bustling group

Swaps "milling" for "bustling", highlighting the energetic and busy nature of the crowd's movement.

teeming gathering

Uses "teeming" instead of "milling" and "gathering" for "crowd", emphasizing the abundance and activity of the people present.

shuffling throng

Replaces "milling" with "shuffling" to focus on a slower, less purposeful movement within the crowd.

meandering cluster

Changes "milling" to "meandering" and "crowd" to "cluster", suggesting a casual and undirected movement of a smaller group.

strolling multitude

Substitutes "milling" with "strolling" and "crowd" with "multitude", implying a relaxed and leisurely pace within a large group.

ambling assembly

Replaces "milling" with "ambling" and "crowd" with "assembly", suggesting a slow, unhurried movement of a more structured group.

FAQs

How can I use "milling crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "milling crowd" to describe a group of people moving around aimlessly or without a clear direction, such as "The performers struggled to make themselves heard above the noise of the "wandering throng"."

What are some synonyms for "milling crowd"?

Alternatives to "milling crowd" include "wandering throng", "drifting multitude", or "roaming assembly", each conveying slightly different nuances of movement and group dynamics.

Is it appropriate to use "milling crowd" in formal writing?

Yes, "milling crowd" is suitable for formal writing. It is a descriptive phrase that can effectively convey the sense of movement and activity within a group of people in various contexts, as demonstrated by its use in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What's the difference between "milling crowd" and "standing crowd"?

"Milling crowd" describes a group of people moving around randomly or aimlessly, while "standing crowd" refers to a group of people who are stationary. The key difference is the presence or absence of movement.