flotilla

IPA/fləˈtɪlə/
KK[flotˈɪlə]IPA/fləʊˈtɪlə/

flotilla — noun

  • flotillasingular
  • flotillasplural

1. a group of small boats or ships that travel together on water

1.nounB2
Definition

a group of small boats or ships that travel together on water

Example

The fishing flotilla left the harbour at dawn, heading toward the open sea.

collocation: fishing flotilla

Quan guided his flotilla of three small boats through the narrow river channel.

pattern: flotilla of + [number] + boats

Common collocations
  • a flotilla of boats
  • a flotilla of ships
  • fishing flotilla
  • naval flotilla
  • sailing flotilla
  • lead a flotilla
  • join a flotilla
Synonyms
  • fleet

    larger and more formal; usually refers to a nation's entire naval force or a large commercial shipping group

  • armada

    a very large military fleet, often with historical or dramatic connotations

  • convoy

    a group travelling together for protection or organisation, often accompanied by an escort

Grammar Patterns

a flotilla of [boats/ships]

2. many people or things that appear to form one big group, especially when they ar

2.nounC1
Definition

many people or things that appear to form one big group, especially when they are moving

Example

A flotilla of reporters chased the singer from the hotel to the concert hall.

figurative: a flotilla of reporters

Romi received a flotilla of birthday cards from friends around the world.

Common collocations
  • a flotilla of reporters
  • a flotilla of journalists
  • a flotilla of questions
  • a flotilla of cards
Synonyms
  • horde

    suggests a large, uncontrolled crowd, often with a slightly negative tone

  • swarm

    emphasises busy, chaotic movement; often used for insects or bustling crowds

  • crowd

    more general and neutral meaning a large number of people gathered together

Grammar Patterns

a flotilla of [people/things]

Usage Note

This figurative sense is informal and draws a humorous comparison between a crowd of people or things and a group of small boats moving together. It is most common in journalism and light writing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Flotilla, fleet, armada, and convoy all refer to groups of ships, but differ in size, purpose, and register. A flotilla is a mid-sized group of small craft — typically fishing boats, yachts, or patrol vessels travelling together. A fleet is larger and more formal, commonly used for a nation's naval forces (the Pacific Fleet) or a commercial shipping company. Armada is the largest and most dramatic; it suggests an enormous military force and carries historical weight from the Spanish Armada. Convoy emphasises organisation and protection: a group travelling together under escort, whether military ships or merchant vessels. In everyday use, flotilla is the most specific to small boats, while fleet is the most versatile. For example: 'A flotilla of fishing boats headed to sea' vs 'The US Navy fleet sailed across the Pacific' vs 'The convoy passed through pirate waters under guard.'

fleet ↗armadaconvoy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fishing flotilla
  • naval flotilla
  • sailing flotilla
  • rescue flotilla

Phrases

  • a flotilla of boats
  • a flotilla of ships
  • lead a flotilla
  • join a flotilla

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicLatinFrenchSpanishEnglish

Flotilla entered English in the early 1700s from Spanish 'flotilla', a diminutive of 'flota' (fleet). The Spanish word itself came from Old French 'flote', which traces back through Latin to a Germanic root meaning 'to float' — the same root that gave English the word 'float'. So a flotilla is literally a 'little floating group'.