Skip to content
geeksforgeeks
  • Tutorials
    • Python
    • Java
    • Data Structures & Algorithms
    • ML & Data Science
    • Interview Corner
    • Programming Languages
    • Web Development
    • CS Subjects
    • DevOps And Linux
    • School Learning
    • Practice Coding Problems
  • Courses
    • DSA to Development
    • Get IBM Certification
    • Newly Launched!
      • Master Django Framework
      • Become AWS Certified
    • For Working Professionals
      • Interview 101: DSA & System Design
      • Data Science Training Program
      • JAVA Backend Development (Live)
      • DevOps Engineering (LIVE)
      • Data Structures & Algorithms in Python
    • For Students
      • Placement Preparation Course
      • Data Science (Live)
      • Data Structure & Algorithm-Self Paced (C++/JAVA)
      • Master Competitive Programming (Live)
      • Full Stack Development with React & Node JS (Live)
    • Full Stack Development
    • Data Science Program
    • All Courses
  • English Grammar Free Course
  • English Grammar Tutorial
  • Parts of Speech
  • Tenses Chart
  • Email Writing
  • NCERT English Solutions
  • English Difference Between
  • SSC CGL English Syllabus
  • SBI PO English Syllabus
  • SBI Clerk English Syllabus
  • IBPS PO English Syllabus
  • IBPS CLERK English Syllabus
Open In App
Next Article:
Abstract Nouns - Definition, Examples, List, Usage
Next article icon

What is Collective Noun? List of Examples, Uses and Exercises

Last Updated : 15 Apr, 2025
Comments
Improve
Suggest changes
Like Article
Like
Report

A collective noun refers to a group or collection of people, animals, or things. It represents a singular entity made up of multiple individuals. Examples of Collective nouns include Team (A team of players), Herd (A herd of cattle), School (A school of fish) etc.

In this article, We have discussed Everything you need to know about Collective nouns such as the Meaning of collective Noun, List of collective nouns, their uses, Exercises for collective nouns, and more.

Table of Content

  • What is a Collective Noun?
  • Collective Noun Definition
  • Collective Nouns Examples
  • 20 Examples of Collective Nouns
  • Uses of Collective Noun
  • List of Collective Nouns
  • A Collective Noun is Singular or Plural?
  • Collective Nouns Examples Sentences
  • Collective Noun: Exercise

What is a Collective Noun?

In simple terms, A collective noun is a singular noun that refers to a group of people, animals, or things. A collective noun can be used with either a singular verb or a plural verb.

Collective Nouns are singular words that refer to an individual or a group. These nouns are used to describe a single unit, even though they refer to multiple individuals within that unit. Collective nouns are common in English and are used to simplify language.

Collective Noun Definition

Collective nouns are defined as "a noun such as 'family' or 'team' that refers to a group of people or things" by the Collins Dictionary. A collective noun is described as "a noun such as 'team' or 'flock' that refers to a group of people or things" in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Collective Nouns Examples

The following are the examples of the collective nouns:

Collective NounExample
TeamA team of athletes
HerdA herd of cattle
FlockA flock of birds
PackA pack of wolves
SchoolA school of fish
SwarmA swarm of bees
HiveA hive of bees
PodA pod of dolphins
GaggleA gaggle of geese
ArmyAn army of soldiers
CrowdA crowd of people
GroupA group of friends
BunchA bunch of flowers
FleetA fleet of ships
CrewA crew of sailors
ChoirA choir of singers
HoardA hoard of treasure
PrideA pride of lions
ColonyA colony of ants
FamilyA family of elephants

20 Examples of Collective Nouns

  1. A battery of artillery
  2. A bevy of quail
  3. A bouquet of flowers
  4. A brood of chicks
  5. A bundle of sticks
  6. A cast of actors
  7. A circle of friends
  8. A class of students
  9. A cluster of stars
  10. A colony of penguins
  11. A company of soldiers
  12. A congregation of worshippers
  13. A convocation of eagles
  14. A crowd of people
  15. A deck of cards
  16. A den of thieves
  17. A drift of swans
  18. A faculty of academics
  19. A gallery of art
  20. A gaggle of geese

Uses of Collective Noun

1. With collective nouns, the same kind of animals, things can be given a name representing the whole kind.
2. Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending upon their implication i.e., whether it is implying to an individual or a group.

Collective nouns are used for the following purposes:

  1. Save Words: Condense descriptions for efficiency.
  2. Ensure Clarity: Emphasize group unity for clearer communication.
  3. Create Imagery: Contribute to vivid and expressive language.
  4. Maintain Flow: Facilitate smooth communication in writing and speech.

List of Collective Nouns

The following are the list of collective Noun for Animals, Person, and objects/ things.

Collective Nouns for Animals

Collective nouns for animals include the following:

  • A shoal of fishes
  • A flock of sheep
  • A school of whales
  • A troop of monkeys
  • A column of chickens
  • A drove of cattle
  • A hive of bees
  • A pack of asses
  • A stud of horses
  • A gaggle of geese

Collective Nouns for Person

Collective nouns for animals include the following:

  • A bench of judges
  • A colony of people
  • A board of examiners
  • A staff of officials
  • A council of ministers
  • A guild of artisans
  • A union of workers
  • A circle of friends
  • A gang of thieves
  • Collective Noun for Bees 
  • A swarm of bees

Collective Nouns for Objects/Things

Collective nouns for animals include the following:

  • A bale of wood
  • A block of flats
  • A convoy of lorries
  • A bunch of arms
  • A cloud of dust
  • A League of Powers
  • A clutch of eggs
  • A flotilla of ships
  • A faggot of twigs
  • An album of photos

A Collective Noun is Singular or Plural?

When the members of a collective noun perform an action as individuals, then the plural verb should be used for a collective noun. And, when the entity acts together, then a singular verb should be used. 

  • Committee= A group of people.
  • Audience = A group of spectators.
  • The committee is divided in its opinion. 
  • The audience was spellbound.  

Collective Nouns Examples Sentences

  • A flight of horses has arrived to join the race.
  • The stone pelters threw a volley of stones at the police.
  • The tourist got attacked by a pack of wolves. 
  • A convoy of trucks containing supplies was sent to the border area.
  • A sudden wind swept a pile of leaves. 
  • A regiment of enemy troops got caught in our ambush. 
  • The crew of ships demanded a raise in pay.
  • I went to a concert where a band of musicians performed. 
  • A gang of dacoits robbed at least 10 villagers at night. 
  • He bequeathed her collection of paintings to the National Gallery.

Collective Noun: Exercise

1.  A _________ of volunteers was present to help the players to navigate the way to the stadium.
2.  The cat dropped a _____________of four kittens. 
3. A ____________of local businessmen is bidding for the contract.
4. Their ________of pubs and restaurants brings in millions of pounds a year.
5. Maldives is a mere __________of hours away by jet.
6. The two countries are separated by a ___________of mountains.
7. There is a _________of rules to show what tourists should and should not do.
8. A ____________of bullet shots rang out!
9. The monk wears a __________of beads.
10. The bird has a _________of feathers on top of its head.

Exercise Answers
1. Body  2. Litter  3. Syndicate  4. Chain  5. Couple  6. Range  7. Set  8. Volley  9. String  10. Tuft 

Also Read:

  • Basic Rules of Noun in English Grammar
  • Compound Noun: Definition, Types and Examples
  • Difference between Noun and Pronoun

Next Article
Abstract Nouns - Definition, Examples, List, Usage

P
prabhat542chaudhary
Improve
Article Tags :
  • SSC/Banking
  • English
  • Parts of Speech

Similar Reads

    English Grammar : Learn Rules of Grammar and Basics
    Whether you're just starting on your journey to learn the English language or you've been studying for some time and find yourself struggling with English grammar, with a little bit of perseverance, anyone can learn to speak and write English with confidence and accuracy.English grammar is a set of
    9 min read
    Parts of Speech: Definitions, Examples & 8 Types
    Every word is a part of speech playing a specific role in sentences or paragraphs. Parts of speech provide an organized way to align words and phrases, it is a fundamental meaning for a language to become more understandable and serve a specific purpose. Here, in this article, we will see what is Pa
    7 min read

    Noun

    Proper Noun - Definition, Examples, & Rules
    There are two primary categories of nouns: common and proper. Proper nouns are name words that are used to designate or categorize a particular person, place, or thing, whereas common nouns are generic. Make sure that the first letter of a proper noun is always capitalized. Read through the followin
    6 min read
    Common Noun - Definition, Examples, List & Usage
    What is a common noun? and what is the difference between common nouns and proper nouns? You must have this question in your mind. In this article, we will explore more about common nouns and get to know about the differences between a common and proper noun.Table of Content What is a Common Noun?Co
    6 min read
    Plural Noun - Rules and Examples
    Plural NounIn English, there are different rules for forming plurals and some exceptions to the authorities. Therefore, it is essential to understand the rules and exceptions of plural nouns to use them correctly in written and spoken English. In this article, we will discuss its rules with examples
    9 min read
    Possessive Noun - Meaning, Usage, Rules and Examples
    A possessive noun is an important part of the English language and writing. They play an important role to indicate ownership or possession. You can express relationships with people, things, and ideas. In this article, we will learn about the concepts of Possessive Noun, their meaning, usage, rules
    7 min read
    What is Collective Noun? List of Examples, Uses and Exercises
    A collective noun refers to a group or collection of people, animals, or things. It represents a singular entity made up of multiple individuals. Examples of Collective nouns include Team (A team of players), Herd (A herd of cattle), School (A school of fish) etc. In this article, We have discussed
    9 min read
    Abstract Nouns - Definition, Examples, List, Usage
    An abstract noun is a kind of noun that represents ideas, things, and experiences. It is an important part of Nouns. It is an important topic for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. One or more questions from this topic are asked in every competitive ex
    4 min read
    What is a Compound Noun? Definition, Types & Examples
    Compound nouns are used to identify a class of people, places, things or a particular name. It is an important topic for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. One or more questions from this topic are asked in every competitive examination. This article w
    7 min read
    What are Countable Noun?
    Countable NounCountable Noun includes all those things, we can count, whether it is in singular or plural form. A countable noun is used in the form of a singular or plural in a sentence. Because if we can count something then it can be either one or more than one. Do you want to know more about Cou
    11 min read
    What are Uncountable Noun - How to use them?
    Uncountable NounAccording to English's grammar, we cannot divide them into separate elements, so for this reason, they are called uncountable nouns. The uncountable noun is another type of noun in traditional English Grammar. Uncountable nouns are such as oil, milk, sugar, salt, patience, juice, bra
    7 min read
    Material Noun: Definition, Examples, Rules & Exercises
    Material NounMaterial NounThe noun is used mainly in five ways in English Grammar, in which all differences have their separate existence. Material Noun is one of those which addresses such a Noun that can only be measured or weighed but cannot be counted at all. A Material Noun is a special name gi
    7 min read

    Pronoun

    Reflexive Pronoun
    Reflexive PronounThe term 'reflexive' refers to something aimed against oneself. The reflexive pronoun would be a form of pronoun that is accompanied by the predecessor, which must be positioned within a single phrase. A reflexive pronoun in English grammatical signifies that the individual doing th
    5 min read
    Subject Pronouns - Definition, Example and Exercise
    Subject PronounSubject pronoun is an essential topic of parts of speech. In recent years, a number of tricky questions are asked in various competitive examinations on this topic. So it is very useful to learn this topic correctly. To know more about the subject Pronouns you must read through the ar
    4 min read
    Relative Pronouns - Definition, Uses and Examples
    A Relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that introduces a subordinate clause and relates it to the main clause. A clause beginning with a relative pronoun is poised to answer questions such as Which one? How many? or What kind? Who, whom, what, which, etc. In this article, we will explore the concep
    8 min read
    Demonstrative Pronouns - Definition and Examples
    Demonstrative PronounThe demonstrative pronoun is another main type or one kind of pronoun. which one uses noun place. demonstrative pronoun used to indicate particular things or persons or directions. Pronouns mainly work to stop the repetition of nouns, which makes sentences beautiful and meaningf
    7 min read
    Possessive Pronouns - Definition, Usage and Examples
    Possessive PronounsPossessive Pronouns are used to indicate the possession or ownership or relation of a person/thing to another person/thing i.e. Possessive Pronouns are used to describe people, animals, or things that a person or be related to something. A possessive pronoun is another kind or typ
    6 min read
    Indefinite Pronoun
    Indefinite PronounAny indeterminate pronoun is a term that lacks a particular familiar recipient. Indefinite pronouns vary from definite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns have the ability to indicate either count as well as non-count nouns. They frequently have associated forms across all these categori
    6 min read
    Personal Pronoun - Definition, Rules and Examples
    Personal PronounPersonal pronouns are short words that are used in place of a person's own name. Each English personal pronoun shows the person, gender, number, and case of the noun it replaces. I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, and them are all personal pronouns. What are Personal Pr
    8 min read
    Interrogative Pronoun
    Interrogative PronounThe Pronoun is just a term that substitutes a noun. Many English phrases contain pronouns, which include inquiries. An interrogative pronoun is a form of pronoun that is continually asking for replies. When posing a question, an interrogative pronoun serves to replace a person a
    5 min read
    Reciprocal Pronouns - Definition, Examples & Uses
    Reciprocal PronounThe pronoun, and particularly the reciprocal pronoun, will be the center of our attention. Let's start with an explanation of a pronoun. In a language, a pronoun is a term that replaces a noun, or another pronoun. A reciprocal pronoun is one that links two previously defined nouns
    6 min read

    Verb

    What is a Verb? Types, Uses, Examples
    A verb is an important part of the English language and is classified under the Parts of Speech chapter. It is very important for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive exams. More than two questions are asked about this topic in every competitive examination.A verb is
    12 min read
    Verb Forms
    Verbs are one of the most essential parts of speech in any language, as they express actions, states, or occurrences. Understanding the different forms of verbs is key to mastering grammar and effective communication. Verb forms can vary depending on tense, voice, and mood, and knowing how to use th
    7 min read
    Main Verbs - Meaning, Types and Examples
    Main VerbsA verb is a part of speech used to show an action. There are several other sorts of verbs. The main verbs, on the contrary side, are the ones that explicitly describe an activity which the particular topic is conducting. These are the primary verbs in a phrase that carry the main meaning.M
    6 min read
    Helping Verb: Definition, Types and Examples
    Helping VerbIn English grammar, a Helping verb is a verb that comes before a main verb or lexical verb in a sentence. An auxiliary/helping verb and a main verb together form a verb phrase. Helping verbs & auxiliary verbs are mostly equal. we often get confused about how to use main verbs and hel
    7 min read
    Auxiliary Verbs: Definition, Examples & List
    Auxiliary verbs are needed to make our sentences more exciting and impressive. Auxiliary verbs are the first step in forming a complete sentence. When used with the main verb, auxiliary verbs finish sentences. Using auxiliary verbs is about expressing your feelings, making a statement, asking a ques
    10 min read
    What Are Modal Verbs? – Definition, Usage & Examples
    ModalsAny competitive government exam, including those for CGL, banking, and the armed services, assesses a candidate's command of the English language. There is a focus on testing the use of grammar in the English language section. As a result, understanding grammar rules becomes essential.One shou
    7 min read

    Adjective

    Adjective - Definition, List, Types, Uses and Examples
    When we discuss Adjectives, it means those words which well describe a Noun or a Place, Person, Thing, or Idea. An adjective is the only word that can create a major difference between the two.Let's discuss this topic in detail and also bookmark it to get back to the article whenever we want to revi
    7 min read
    Proper Adjectives Definition and Examples
    Proper AdjectivesAn appropriate adjective is a subcategory of the wider category of adjectives in particular. Adjectives are one of the eight fundamental parts of speech in English, and it is critical to understand and be able to distinguish which parts of speech make up a full sentence. Some pupils
    5 min read
    Possessive Adjectives - Definition, Example and List
    How do possessive adjectives contribute to expressing ownership and help to indicate the relationship between people, ideas, and objects? Do you want to know more about Possessive adjectives? This article will help you to explore more about Possessive Adjectives along with their usage, examples, and
    5 min read
    Interrogative Adjective - Meaning, Definition and Examples
    Understanding and learning about interrogative adjectives can greatly enhance your communication skills, helps you to seek information, and engages you in meaningful conversations. Here you will explore the importance of Interrogative along with rules and examples that will provide you valuable insi
    5 min read

    Adverb

    What Is an Adverb? Definition, List & Examples
    In this article, we will learn about "Adverbs". A verb, adjective, another adverb, determiner, clause, preposition or sentence is typically modified by an adverb. Adverbs often answer questions like "how," "in what way," "when," "where," and "to what extent" by expressing things like method, place,
    10 min read
    Conjunctive Adverbs - Meaning, Examples and Exercises
    Are you having trouble with conjunctive adverbs? Have you ever wanted to express yourself more clearly and effectively, but just didn’t know where to start? In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of the important role that conjunctive adverbs play in writing a great piece of literat
    6 min read
    Adverbs of Time - Examples, Meaning, and Definition
    If you are looking for a guide that explains what is adverbs of time with suitable examples, then here in this blog post we will learn about adverbs of time and how to use them with examples. So without wasting time, let's dig into the article. Adverb of TimeAdverbs of Time inform us when an activit
    7 min read
    Adverbs of Place - Definition, List and Examples
    In the world of English grammar, adverbs of place specify where something happens. Basically, it can be used to describe a place, a direction, or a place in relation to something else. If you're looking for a detailed guide to adverbs of place, in this article we'll look at how adverbs of place work
    7 min read
    What are Adverbs of Degree? Definition, List and Examples
    Adverbs are commonly used in English to explain the adjective, verb, or another adverb inside a paragraph. Among many of the different kinds of adverbs, a degree adverb assists speakers in expressing the concentration of a statement in a paragraph. The Adverb of degree answers the question, "How muc
    8 min read
    Adverbs of Manner - Meaning, Definition and Examples
    Adverbs of manner are a type of parts of speech. It denotes the manner of action done by the Subject. It is an important topic for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. One or more questions from this topic are asked in every competitive examination. What
    6 min read

    Conjunction

    What is a Conjunction - Meaning, Definition, Types & Exercises
    Conjunctions are essential tools in the English language, used to connect words, phrases, or sentences to create more complex and meaningful statements. Without conjunctions, our sentences would be short and choppy, lacking flow and coherence. In the vast realm of language, there exists a small but
    8 min read
    Subordinating Conjunction - Meaning, Definition, Types and Examples
    It is a very useful topic for joining two sentences in English and also important for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. A few questions on this topic are asked in every competitive examination.  Table of Content What is a Subordinating Conjunction? De
    6 min read

    Preposition

    Interjection

    Interjections - Definition, Types, Rules and Examples
    InterjectionsAn interjection is a word or phrase expressing some kind of sudden feelings of sadness or emotions. Interjections are a type of part of speech, but in a sentence, they are not grammatically connected to other parts of a sentence. Interjections are those common words which use in everyda
    10 min read
geeksforgeeks-footer-logo
Corporate & Communications Address:
A-143, 7th Floor, Sovereign Corporate Tower, Sector- 136, Noida, Uttar Pradesh (201305)
Registered Address:
K 061, Tower K, Gulshan Vivante Apartment, Sector 137, Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, 201305
GFG App on Play Store GFG App on App Store
Advertise with us
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Legal
  • Privacy Policy
  • In Media
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with us
  • GFG Corporate Solution
  • Placement Training Program
  • Languages
  • Python
  • Java
  • C++
  • PHP
  • GoLang
  • SQL
  • R Language
  • Android Tutorial
  • Tutorials Archive
  • DSA
  • Data Structures
  • Algorithms
  • DSA for Beginners
  • Basic DSA Problems
  • DSA Roadmap
  • Top 100 DSA Interview Problems
  • DSA Roadmap by Sandeep Jain
  • All Cheat Sheets
  • Data Science & ML
  • Data Science With Python
  • Data Science For Beginner
  • Machine Learning
  • ML Maths
  • Data Visualisation
  • Pandas
  • NumPy
  • NLP
  • Deep Learning
  • Web Technologies
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • ReactJS
  • NextJS
  • Bootstrap
  • Web Design
  • Python Tutorial
  • Python Programming Examples
  • Python Projects
  • Python Tkinter
  • Python Web Scraping
  • OpenCV Tutorial
  • Python Interview Question
  • Django
  • Computer Science
  • Operating Systems
  • Computer Network
  • Database Management System
  • Software Engineering
  • Digital Logic Design
  • Engineering Maths
  • Software Development
  • Software Testing
  • DevOps
  • Git
  • Linux
  • AWS
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Azure
  • GCP
  • DevOps Roadmap
  • System Design
  • High Level Design
  • Low Level Design
  • UML Diagrams
  • Interview Guide
  • Design Patterns
  • OOAD
  • System Design Bootcamp
  • Interview Questions
  • Inteview Preparation
  • Competitive Programming
  • Top DS or Algo for CP
  • Company-Wise Recruitment Process
  • Company-Wise Preparation
  • Aptitude Preparation
  • Puzzles
  • School Subjects
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Social Science
  • English Grammar
  • Commerce
  • World GK
  • GeeksforGeeks Videos
  • DSA
  • Python
  • Java
  • C++
  • Web Development
  • Data Science
  • CS Subjects
@GeeksforGeeks, Sanchhaya Education Private Limited, All rights reserved
We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Policy & Privacy Policy
Lightbox
Improvement
Suggest Changes
Help us improve. Share your suggestions to enhance the article. Contribute your expertise and make a difference in the GeeksforGeeks portal.
geeksforgeeks-suggest-icon
Create Improvement
Enhance the article with your expertise. Contribute to the GeeksforGeeks community and help create better learning resources for all.
geeksforgeeks-improvement-icon
Suggest Changes
min 4 words, max Words Limit:1000

Thank You!

Your suggestions are valuable to us.

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

Interview Experiences
Admission Experiences
Career Journeys
Work Experiences
Campus Experiences
Competitive Exam Experiences