horde
/hɔːd/ (bre, ipa) · /hɔːrd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhȯrd/ (ame, mw)
horde — noun
- hordesingular
- hordesplural
1. a large number of people who are together in one place, often moving or behaving
a large number of people who are together in one place, often moving or behaving in an unorganized way
A horde of fans gathered outside the concert hall hours before the doors opened.
collocation: horde of fans
Kwame pushed his way through the horde of people blocking the station entrance.
When the store opened its doors, a horde of shoppers rushed inside for the sale.
A horde of reporters waited for the mayor outside the courthouse steps.
The festival drew a horde of visitors from all over the island.
- handful
a very small number of people
- scattering
a small group spread out over an area
文法句型
horde + of + plural noun
常見錯誤
2. a large group of soldiers or warriors who move together in order to attack a pla
a large group of soldiers or warriors who move together in order to attack a place or fight against others
The invading horde swept through the valley, burning every village in its path.
adjective pattern: invading horde
Historical records describe a horde of mounted warriors crossing the frozen river at dawn.
The city walls held firm against the attacking horde for nearly three months.
A horde of enemy soldiers emerged from the forest, weapons glinting in the morning light.
文法句型
adjective + horde
horde + of + plural noun (warriors, soldiers)
用法筆記
Often carries a negative or threatening tone, suggesting a destructive or violent group whose purpose is conquest or plunder.
3. used in the expression 'hordes of' to describe an extremely large number of peop
used in the expression 'hordes of' to describe an extremely large number of people or things, often with a feeling of being overwhelmed or annoyed
Hordes of tourists flood the old town every summer, making it nearly impossible to walk.
plural-only: hordes of + plural count noun
During the New Year sales, hordes of customers line up outside the mall before sunrise.
Hordes of mosquitoes appeared after the heavy rain, driving everyone indoors.
Every spring, hordes of schoolchildren visit the national museum for their field trips.
Heloísa complained that hordes of emails flooded her inbox every morning.
- a handful of
a very small number
- a trickle of
a small number arriving slowly
文法句型
hordes of + plural count noun
hordes of + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense is always used in the plural form 'hordes of'. It often carries an overtone of overwhelm or mild annoyance, especially in everyday speech ('hordes of emails', 'hordes of tourists').
4. a community of people who travel from place to place without a fixed home, espec
a community of people who travel from place to place without a fixed home, especially the nomadic groups from the steppes of Central Asia such as the Mongols
The Mongol horde moved across the Central Asian steppe with their horses, cattle, and tents.
the + proper noun + horde (the Mongol horde)
Nikhil's research focused on daily life in a Central Asian horde of the thirteenth century.
The Golden Horde controlled a vast territory stretching from Siberia to the Black Sea.
Defne read how the nomadic horde followed wild animal herds across the plains.
- tribe
broader in meaning; does not imply nomadic lifestyle
- clan
smaller, based on family ties rather than military or political organisation
- confederation
more formal and neutral; a political alliance of tribes
文法句型
the + [name] + horde
adjective + horde (nomadic, Mongol)
用法筆記
Historically associated with Central Asian groups such as the Mongols and Tatars. The word 'horde' in this sense can be considered dated or stereotypical in modern contexts; 'nomadic tribe' or 'confederation' are often preferred alternatives in academic writing.