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NOUN


NOUN

A noun (Latin: nōmen, "name"[1]) is a word that functions as the name of some specific thing or set of things, such as living creatures, objects, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.

lassifications of Nouns

Proper Nouns

Proper nouns are nouns that refer to specific entities. Writers of English capitalize proper nouns like Nebraska, Steve, Harvard, or White House to show their distinction from common nouns.

Common Nouns

Common nouns refer to general, unspecific categories of entities. Whereas Nebraska is a proper noun because it signifies a specific state, the word state itself is a common noun because it can refer to any of the 50 states in the United States. Harvard refers to a particular institution of higher learning, while the common noun university can refer to any such institution.

Countable Nouns

To linguists, these count nouns can occur in both single and plural forms, can be modified by numerals, and can co-occur with quantificational determiners like many, most, more, several, etc.

For example, the noun bike is a countable noun. Consider the following sentence:

There is a bike in that garage.

In this example, the word bike is singular as it refers to one bike that is presently residing in a particular garage.

However, bike can also occur in the plural form.

There are six broken bikes in that garage.

In this example, the noun bikes refers to more than one bike as it is being modified by the numeral six.

In addition, countable nouns can co-occur with quantificational determiners.

In that garage, several bikes are broken.

This sentence is grammatical, as the noun bike can take the modification of the quantificational determiner several.

Uncountable Nouns or Mass Nouns

Conversely, some nouns are not countable and are called uncountable nouns or mass nouns. For example, the word clutter is a mass noun.

That garage is full of clutter.

This sentence makes grammatical sense. However, the following example does not.

That garage is full of clutters.

Mass nouns can not take plural forms, and therefore a sentence containing the word clutters is ungrammatical.

Substances, liquids, and powders are entities that are often signified by mass nouns such as wood, sand, water, and flour. Other examples would be milk, air, furniture, freedom, rice, and intelligence.

Collective Nouns

In general, collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of something in a specific manner. Often, collective nouns are used to refer to groups of animals. Consider the following sentences.

Look at the gaggle of geese. There used to be herds of wild buffalo on the prairie. A bevy of swans is swimming in the pond. A colony of ants live in the anthill.

In the above examples, gaggle, herds, bevy, and colony are collective nouns.

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COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Ever wondered what the collective noun is for various groups of animals, birds or insects? Here are some of the obvious and not so obvious.

I would, however, like to point out that these terms have not been officially "authenticated". 

TERMS FOR GROUPS OF ANIMALS, BIRDS AND INSECTS

ANIMAL/SPECIES

COLLECTIVE NOUN/TERM

ANTELOPES A HERD of antelopes.
ANTS

A COLONY of ants.                                              

Melissa Bee

An ARMY of ants.

A STATE or SWARM of ants.

APES

A SHREWDNESS of apes

ASSES

A HERD or PACE of asses

A DROVE of asses.

BABOONS A TROOP of baboons

 Michael Haberl

A FLANGE*** of baboons

Judith Rich

A CONGRESS of baboons.

John Provost

*** The history of this term is very interesting see the following -

http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=8498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&sid=764b6eda4eab5327541dcc71faae5e12

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baboon

BACTERIA A COLONY of bacteria.

Micribiologists call groups of bacteria COLONIES. A culture would consist of many colonies.

Ron Orts

A CULTURE of bacteria.                                        

Chris Moffatt

BADGERS

A CETE of badgers

BARRACUDAS A BATTERY of barracudas.
BASS A SHOAL of bass.                                                    

Melissa Bee.

BATS A COLONY of bats.                                                  

Melissa Bee.

A CLOUD of bats.

Keith Harris

BEARS

A SLOTH or SLEUTH of bears

BEAVERS A COLONY of beavers.

A FAMILY of beavers.

BEES

A GRIST, HIVE, SWARM, DRIFT or BIKE of bees

A CLUSTER, ERST or NEST of bees.

BIRDS

A FLOCK, FLIGHT, or PARCEL of birds.
A POD of birds (small flock)
A VOLARY of birds (in an aviary)
A BRACE = a pair of gamebirds or waterfowl *  

* Melissa Bee.

A DISSIMULATION of birds.                                 

Phillip Joss

BISON A HERD of bison.
BITTERNS A SEDGE of bitterns.                                               

Melissa Bee.

BOAR (WILD)

A SOUNDER or SINGULAR of wild boar

BOBOLINKS A CHAIN of bobolinks (whatever they might be!!) 

Melissa Bee.

Just in case there is anyone else out there who, like me, doesn't know what a Bobolink is I have been reliably informed by Amelia B., that it is a small bird.  The male is black and white with a yellow cap on his head and the female is golden brown with brown markings.

Another name for a bobolink is a whippoorwill***
(their call sounds a little like someone saying the word whippoorwill).

Thanks to Eric Pittenger for this additional information.

***  Apparently this is not the case.

Clarice Olle has been kind enough to point out that the above is in fact incorrect.

A bob-o-link (short for Robert of Lincoln) is NOT the same bird as a whippoorwill.

This is confirmed on the site at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm


John Canepa as also provided the following information:

Bobolinks and whippoorwills are two different birds. The bobolink is a small-medium size bird dwelling in open fields where it makes its nest on the ground and has one of the most amazing and hysterical songs ever. The whippoorwill is a medium size bird, active at night, with plumage so as that you practically step on them as they rest on the forest floor. An interesting note about the whippoorwill is that they will come to rest in a circle, with their tails all facing in so that they can be protected from danger.

Susan Vanderveen also confirms - I respectively submit the information that a Bobolink and Whip-poor-will are not two terms for one bird. They are two very distinct species.

BUCK

A BRACE OR CLASH of bucks.                      

Michael Haberl

I was looking at your wonderful list of animal collectives for my website (everbosity.wordpress.com) and came across the use of "brace" several times, firstly under birds. A brace is a pair of anything and not specifically related to any animal. A player can score a brace of goals in a football match for example. I wouldn't consider it a collective title.

Tench Ringgold

BUDGERIGARS  A CHATTER of budgerigars. 

BUFFALO

A HERD, TROUP, GANG or OBSTINACY of buffalo

BULLOCKS A DROVE of bullocks.
BUTTERFLIES A SWARM or RABBLE of butterflies.

A KALEIDOSCOPE of butterflies.                 

Christina Gonzales

A FLUTTER of butterflies.                                  

Priscilla Weikert 

A RAINBOW  of butterflies.

Amy Black

BUZZARDS A WAKE of buzzards.                                             

Melissa Bee

CAMELS A CARAVAN, FLOCK or TRAIN of camels.
CARIBOU A HERD of caribou.
CATERPILLARS An ARMY of caterpillars.                                          

Melissa Bee

CATS

A CLOWDER of cats.    (sent in by Paul Chapin)
A POUNCE of cats.
A KINDLE, LITTER OR INTRIGUE  (for kittens)

                                                                        Melissa Bee 

A CLUTTER of cats.

A COMFORT of cats.                                           

Gary Goldring

A CHOWDER of cats.

Amy Black

A COLONY of cats (usually wild cats)

Jennifer Bradley

CATTLE

A HERD, DROVE or DRIFT of cattle.
A MOB of cattle (US and Australia*)

*John Slay

"Cattle" refers to both male and female cows.

Gwendolyn Cannon

Gwendolyn Cannon suggests that 'Cattle' refers to both male and female cows. You must be joshing me Gwendolyn. There is no such thing as a male cow ! He's either a "Bull" or a "steer/Ox". I'll bet you did that on purpose just to see how many responses you get, didn't you ?

Donald Gillis

Additional Clarification

Although Donald is, of course, correct, in defence of Gwendolyn I think she was using the term 'cow' colloquially as it is quite difficult to think of a term which covers both sexes (hence the use of the term 'cattle' in the first place.

According to Oxford Dictionaries - the definition of 'cattle' is 'large ruminant animals with horns and cloven hoofs, domesticated for meat or milk, or as beasts of burden; cows and oxen.'

Another term for male cattle is 'bullock'.  A bullock is a male domestic bovine animal that has been castrated and is raised for beef.

CHEETAHS A COALITION of cheetahs                                

Lisa Ashley Mayock

CHICKEN

A BROOD, CLUTCH, flock, run or PEEP of chicken

CHICKS A CLUTCH OR CHATTERING  of chicks.

 Michael Haberl

CHOUGHS A CHATTERING of choughs.
CLAMS A BED of clams                                             

Clyde Hogendobler

COATI (COATIMUNDI) A BAND  of coati (coatimundi)
COBRAS A QUIVER of cobras                                       

Michael Haberl

COCKROACHES An INTRUSION of cockroaches.                                

Melissa Bee

COLTS A RAG of colts.
COOTS A COVERT or COVER* of coots.                             

*Melissa Bee

CORMORANTS A GULP (SOLITUDE)* OR FLIGHT of cormorants.  

                                                             *Melissa Bee

COWS A HERD of cows.

Patricia Ellistone

A KINE* of cows (12 cows are a FLINK)             

Michael Haberl

* This term is not widely used these days and is considered archaic by some.

"Kine" refers to only female cows (like a dairy herd). "Cattle" refers to both male and female cows.

Gwendolyn Cannon

SEE ALSO "CATTLE" above for other terms.

COYOTE A PACK of coyotes

A TRAIN of coyotes                                                                                Donald Kross

A BAND of coyotes                                                                                        Michael Haberl  

A ROUT of coyotes                                                                                                       Bud Stockwell

CRABS A BUSHEL*** of crabs                                              

Kristen Reece

A CAST of crabs

C. MacIntire

 

***For your information, a bushel of crabs is what you call it if you are buying crabs to eat. Bushel is the measurement of how many you will buy (i.e. Half a bushel, two bushels). Its like buying meat in pounds at the deli. eaten. I believe a group of live crabs is called a cast.

Steve Miller has also pointed out that it is incorrect to apply this label to certain specific species e.g. a bushel of crabs as you could equally have a bushel of corn.

 

CRANES

A HERD, SEIGE or SEDGE* of cranes               

* fMelissa Bee

CROCODILES A CONGREGATION or NEST

A BASK or FLOAT of crocodiles.                     

Michael Haberl

A STRIKER (unconfirmed)                                                   

Mike Paget

CROWS

A HOVER, MUSTER, or PARCEL of crows.

A MURDER of crows         

Jill Dobbs,  Rachael  Blomeley and anon.

A HORDE of crows.                                            

Melissa Bee 

A PARLIAMENT of crows.

Jill Dean

CUBS

A LITTER of cubs

CURLEW

A HERD of curlew

CURS A COWARDICE of curs.                                  

Michael Haberl

DEER

ROE DEER

A HERD, LEASH or MOB of deer

A BEVY of roe deer.                                              

Melissa Bee

DOGFISH A TROOP of dogfish

DOGS

A PACK (wild dogs) or KENNEL of dogs
A COWARDICE of curs.                    )
A LITTER of puppies.                                              

 Melissa Bee   

DOLPHINS A SCHOOL of dolphins.

A POD of dolphins.                                                

Audrie Dugger 

DONKEYS A HERD or PACE of donkeys/asses                         

Melissa Bee & Michael Haberl

DOTTEREL A TRIP of dotterel.                                                    

Melissa Bee

Apparently a Dotterel is a rare plover of upland areas of Eurasia.

Thanks to Linwood Lyons for supplying this useful information.

DOVES

A FLIGHT, DULE or DOLE of doves.
A PITYING of turtle doves.                                          

Melissa Bee

A PLAGUE of doves

Jay Johnson

DUCKS

A RAFT, PADDLING or BUNCH of ducks on water.
A TEAM, BRACE, BED, FLIGHT OR FLOCK* of wild ducks in flight.

Melissa Bee

A BADLING of ducks.

Gordon Potts

I was looking at your wonderful list of animal collectives for my website (everbosity.wordpress.com) and came across the use of "brace" several times, firstly under birds. A brace is a pair of anything and not specifically related to any animal. A player can score a brace of goals in a football match for example. I wouldn't consider it a collective title.

Tench Ringgold

DUNLINS

A FLING of dunlins

EAGLES A CONVOCATION of eagles.

A CONGREGATION of eagles.

 Mike Field

EELS An ARRAY of eels.

John Beumer

A SEETHING of eels.

David Thomson

ELEPHANTS

A HERD or PARADE* of elephants          

*also Raila and Jon Foley

A CRASH of elephants.                                              

Susan Walsh

ELK

A HERD of elk.
A GANG of elk (US)

EMUS A MOB of emus.                                             

Michael Haberl

FERRETS A BUSINESS of ferrets.

                 ( Clyde Hogendobler, Phillip Joss & Brian Schott)

A BUSYNESS of ferrets.

 Angus Mackintosh

Other spellings of this term can be see at http://www.all-about-ferrets.com/collective-noun-for-ferrets.html 

FINCHES

A CHARM of finches

FISH

A SHOAL, DRAFT, NEST, SCHOOL* of fish.
A RUN of fish in motion.                                       

* Melissa Bee

FLAMINGOES A STAND of flamingoes.                                           

Melissa Bee

A FLAMBOYANCE of flamingoes.                             

Kevin Yocum

FLIES

A CLOUD, HATCH, BUSINESS* or SWARM of flies.   

                                                                           * Melissa Bee

FOXES A SKULK of foxes                                               

Clyde Hogendobler

A CLOUD, TROOP, or COMPANY of foxes.
A LEASH OR EARTH of foxes.*                          

* Melissa Bee                 

FROGS An ARMY or COLONY of frogs.                         Michael Haberl

A KNOT of frogs.

Luke Fewings

GEESE

A GAGGLE or FLOCK of geese.
A SKEIN, TEAM or WEDGE of geese (in the air)
A PLUMP of geese (on water)

GERBILS A HORDE of gerbils.

GIRAFFES

A CORPS, TROOP, HERD  of giraffes.

A  TOWER of giraffes.

 Melissa Bee

A KINDERGARTEN of giraffes. 

  James Marohn

A JOURNEY of giraffes.                                 

 Raila and Jon Foley

A KALEIDOSCOPE of giraffes

Jess Gayner (via South African Game Ranger)

GNATS A CLOUD OR HORDE of gnats.                               

Melissa Bee

GNUS An IMPLAUSIBILITY of gnus.                       

Andrew Davidson

GOATS

A FLOCK, HERD or TRIBE of goats

A TRIP of goats (This is not one I have heard of before - thank you Lee Lundberg)

GOLDFINCHES A CHARM of goldfinches.
GOLDFISH A TROUBLING of goldfish.
GORILLAS A BAND of gorillas                                              

Clyde Hogendobler

A WHOOP of gorillas.

Several people have suggested a 'flange' of gorillas as this was featured in Series 2, episode 5 of 'Not The Nine O'Clock News' on the 28/04/1980 however, I feel this actually puts the term in doubt as appears to be qualified by Stephen Fry at:-

 
http://old.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=8498&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&sid=764b6eda4eab5327541dcc71faae5e12

GRASSHOPPERS A CLOUD of grasshoppers.
GREYHOUNDS A LEASH of greyhounds.

GROUSE

A PACK or COVEY of grouse

GUILLEMOTS A BAZAAR of guillemots.
GUINEA FOWL A CONFUSION of guinea fowl.

Alexandra Bylczynski

A RASP of guinea fowl.

Reginald Hughes

GUINEA PIGS A GROUP of guinea pigs

Mike Holden

GULLS A COLONY of gulls.                                                   

Melissa Bee

 

HAMSTERS A HORDE of hamsters.                                          

Margie and John 

HARES A HUSK, DOWN or MUTE of hares.

A TRACE of hares.

Alexandra Bylczynski

HAWKS

A CAST, KETTLE (flying in large numbers) or BOIL (two or more) of hawks.

 Melissa Bee

HEDGEHOGS An ARRAY of hedgehogs.
HENS A BROOD of hens.
HERONS A SCATTERING, SEIGE or SEDGE* of herons.      

                                                          * Melissa Bee

HERRING An ARMY of herring.                                                  

Melissa Bee

HIPPOPOTAMI A BLOAT of hippopotami (or hippopotamuses)

A RAFT of hippopotami

Jess Gayner (via South African Game Ranger)

HOATZIN

(South American jungle bird)

A DONGLE of hoatzin.

Elliot Eaton

HOGS A DRIFT or PARCEL of hogs.                          

Michael Haberl

HORNETS A NEST of hornets.                                                    

Melissa Bee

HORSES

A STUD or STRING of horses (Breeding)
A TEAM, HARRAS, PAIR or RAG of horses (i.e. colts.)*    
A FIELD, HERD, REMUDA, SET or STABLE of horses.

  * Melissa Bee

HOUNDS

A PACK, KENNEL, MUTE or CRY of hounds

Possibly LEASH of hounds (but cannot confirm this fact) 

John Branda.

HUMMINGBIRDS A CHARM of hummingbirds

Richard Sanborn BA, MA, JD

HYENAS A CACKLE of hyenas.                                              

Melissa Bee

INSECTS

A SWARM of insects

JACKRABBITS A HUSK of jackrabbits.
JAYS A PARTY or SCOLD of jays.                                      

Melissa Bee

JELLYFISH A BROOD, SMUCK or SMACK of jellyfish.

KANGAROOS

A MOB or TROOP of kangaroos

KITTENS

A KENDLE, KINDLE or LITTER of kittens.

LADYBIRDS (LADYBUGS/LADYBEETLES) A LOVELINESS of ladybirds.

                      Sent in by Simon Odell - not authenticated but too nice to omit.

LAPWINGS A DESERT or DECEIT* of lapwings.                      

 *Melissa Bee

LARKS

A BEVY of larks.
An EXALTATION of larks.                                   

Elazar Friedman

An ASCENSION of larks.                                 

Michael Haberl

LEMURS A TROOP of lemurs.

Alex Dunkel

LEOPARDS A LEAP of leopards                                            

Clyde Hogendobler

LICE A FLOCK of lice.

LIONS

A PRIDE, FLOCK, SAWT, SOUSE, or TROOP of lions.

A SAULT of lions.

Alexandra Bylczynski

LOCUSTS A CLOUD, PLAGUE or SWARM  of locusts.
LOONS A RAFT of loons.

Dr. D. T. Mulhearn

Dr. Mulhearn kindly provided some additional information on this subject.

"The term  is not often usable because they rarely group. On occasion however, for reasons yet unknown, they will meet for short periods, on a lake in groups numbering from a half dozen to a few dozen. They drift around the lake in their raft for a few days until they eventually again go their separate ways."

MAGPIES A TITTERING, TIDING, GULP, MURDER or CHARM* of magpies.

* Melissa Bee

MALLARDS A SORD or BRACE* of mallards.                   

Elazar Friedman
                                                                     * Melissa Bee

I was looking at your wonderful list of animal collectives for my website (everbosity.wordpress.com) and came across the use of "brace" several times, firstly under birds. A brace is a pair of anything and not specifically related to any animal. A player can score a brace of goals in a football match for example. I wouldn't consider it a collective title.

Tench Ringgold

MARES A STUD of mares.                                           

Michael Haberl

MARTENS A RICHNESS of martens.                                         

Melissa Bee   

A RICHESSE of martens.                                              

Jayne Collins

MEERKATS A MOB of meerkats.                                                

Kristin Howard

MICE A MISCHIEF of mice.
A HORDE of mice.
A HARVEST of mice.
A COLONY of mice.
A NEST of mice.
MINNOWS A STEAM of minnows.
MOLES A LABOUR of moles.                                              

Phillip Joss

MONGOOSES A BUSINESS of mongooses.

Steve Rundstrom

MONKEYS

A TROOP, CARTLOAD or BARREL* of monkeys                  

 *  Melissa Bee

MOOSE A HERD of moose.
MOSQUITOES A SCOURGE of mosquitoes.
MULES A BARREN, PACK* or SPAN of mules.                    

                                                           *  Melissa Bee

NIGHTINGALES A WATCH of nightingales.

An ENCHANTMENT of nightingales.

David Thomson

OTTERS A FAMILY, BEVY or ROMP* of otters.                  

* Melissa Bee

A RAFT of otters                                                            

Donald Cheek.

OWLS A PARLIAMENT of owls. 

Anonymous contributor & Raila and Jon Foley

A STARE or WISDOM of owls.                        

Grant Schneider

A STUDY of owls.                                                       

Amelia B.

OXEN A TEAM or YOKE of oxen..                                    

Melissa Bee

A DROVE or HERD of oxen                             

Michael Haberl

A SPAN* of oxen                                                       

Richard Bowen

*(I believe this may refer to a team of two or more)

OYSTERS A BED of oysters                       

Clyde Hogendobler and Kristen Reece

PARROTS A PANDEMONIUM or COMPANY* of parrots.          

                                                       *  Melissa Bee

PARTRIDGES

A COVEY of partridges

PEACOCKS A MUSTER or OSTENTATION* of peacock.          

*  Melissa Bee

A PULCHRITUDE of peacocks.  

                        * S. M. Steven.

PEEPS A LITTER of peeps.                                         

Michael Haberl

PELICANS A SQUADRON of pelicans.

Miranda

A POD or SCOOP of pelicans.

PENGUINS

A ROOKERY or COLONY* of penguins                   

                                                          * Melissa Bee

PHEASANTS

A HEAD, NYE, NEST, , NIDE (BROOD)* or BEVY of pheasants.

 * Melissa Bee

A BOUQUET of pheasants (in flight)

Alexandra Bylczynski

PIGEONS

A KIT of pigeons (flying together)
A FLOCK or FLIGHT of pigeons.                     

Michael Haberl

I have been advised by Terry West that this can also be a "LOFT" of pigeons. I am, however, a little nervous about this one as I know pigeons' living quarters are called a Loft.

You question a 'loft' of pigeons because a loft may be a pigeon's home. Many creatures can be referred to in this way - cf. a dray of squirrels; and I wonder if a cete of badgers is not, at heart, a 'set' of badgers.

Roger Whiteway

PIGS

A HERD, TRIP or LITTER of pigs
A DRIFT, DROVE, SOUNDER (swine), TEAM, PASSEL (hogs)*

                                                           *  Melissa Bee

PLOVERS

A STAND, WING OR CONGREGATION of plovers

PONIES A DROVE OR STRING of ponies.
PORCUPINES A PRICKLE of porcupines.                                  

*  Melissa Bee

PORPOISES

A HERD, SCHOOL or POD of porpoises.

PRAIRIE DOGS A COTERIE of prairie dogs.                                       

Ken

PTARMIGAN

A COVEY of Ptarmigan

PUPS

A LITTER of pups

A PUDDLE of puppies                                          

Sarah Smith 

QUAIL

A BEVY, DRIFT or COVEY* of quail                      

                                                       *  Melissa Bee

RABBITS A BURY, COLONY, CIRCLE, NEST, HERD (domestic), LITTER (young) of rabbits.

  * Melissa Bee

A TRACE of rabbits.

Alexandra Bylczynski

Several people, including Lyle McNair, have submitted this term but it has always been my understanding that 'warren' was the name given to the network of interconnecting rabbit burrows in which rabbits live.

Collective nouns are notoriously difficult to authenticate but during research, although I could not find official clarification that warren is an authentic collective noun, I have seen other references to its use so I have decided to include it.

A WARREN of rabbits.

Lyle has now sent me some additional information regarding the use of the term "warren" as a collective noun.

The "World English Dictionary" (accessible through www.dictionary.com) defines "warren" as "a colony of rabbits" and "colony" in a zoological sense is further defined as "a group of the same type of animal or plant living or growing together, especially in large numbers".

RACCOONS A GAZE of raccoons.

Chris Lam

A NURSERY of raccoons.

RACEHORSES

A STRING of racehorses

RATS A COLONY of rats.   
A PACK or SWARM of rats.                             
                                                

Michael Haberl

A MISCHIEF of rats.

Phil Malia,

RATTLESNAKES A RHUMBA of rattlesnakes.                                                                

Michael Haberl.

RAVENS An UNKINDNESS of ravens.

A MURDER of ravens.                                                                     

Michelle Hellstern

A CONSPIRACY of ravens.                                                                  

Alex Baxter

REINDEER A HERD of reindeer.
RHINOS A CRASH or HERD of rhinos                        

 Clyde Hogendobler)       Michael Haberl/ Raila and Jon Foley

ROEBUCKS A BEVY of roebucks.
ROOKS A BUILDING or ROOKERY of rooks.
A CLAMOUR of rooks.                                    
                                                

Michael Haberl

A PARLIAMENT of rooks.                                                                                          

Clayton Deathe

ROTIFERS

(a type of plankton found in lakes and rivers)

A POD of rotifers.

Matt

RUFFS

A HILL of ruffs

SARDINES A FAMILY of sardines.
SASQUATCH A PUNGENT of sasquatch.

Lindsay Boe

SCHNAUZERS A STENCH of Schnauzers

No complaints please, this was sent in by DD a Schnauzer owner who is a Veterinary Surgeon (identity protected by me, for obvious reasons!!!!)

SEA OTTERS A RAFT of sea otters                                                                                                     Donald Cheek.
SEAGULLS A FLOCK of seagulls.

Jason Murray

SEAHORSES A HERD of seahorses.  *

* It is rare for seahorses to group together so there is no real collective noun but the above is the term sometimes used for a collection of seahorses.

Paul Bergeron has also advised that the term for the offspring of seahorses is "fry".

SEALS

A HERD, HAREM*, TRIP or ROOKERY* of seals
A POD of seals (a small herd)

* Tom Clarke has commented - "I note that you list harem for seals. A harem usually refers to a group of female seals who have been organized or collected by a single male for breeding purposes."

* Leigh-Anne Kolasinski advises that the term "rookery" is normally used for the place where seals give birth rather than as a collective noun.

Another term used for on land habitat of seals/sea lions is 'haul-out' but this would not be used as a collective noun.

D. C. Reid.

I have noticed that many of the collective nouns featured on the various pages do in fact refer to the habitat rather than groups but these terms are notoriously difficult to authenticate;  even the most prestigious dictionaries do not feature them, presumably for that reason.  I am led to believe, however, that the The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus (ed. Maurice Waite, 2007) shows this term as being a collective noun.

SHARKS A SHIVER of sharks.                                             

Melissa Bee

SHEEP

A FLOCK, HERD, HIRSEL, PACK, DROVE* or TRIP of sheep      

*Courtesy of Melissa Bee

A MOB of sheep (Australian)                                 

Anthony Coates

SKUNKS A SURFEIT of skunks.

Mary Gutierrez 

SKYLARKS An ASCENSION of skylarks.

David Milne

SNAKES A DEN, BED, PIT or SLITHER of snakes.

A NEST or KNOT of snakes.                                     

Melissa Bee

A BROOD of snakes (a family group)                    

Robert Richards

SNIPE

A WISP or WALK of snipe

SPARROWS A HOST of sparrows.

A KNOT of sparrows. (Thomas Hardy Far from the Madding Crowd)

Steve

SQUIRRELS A DRAY* or SCURRY* of squirrels.                        

*  Melissa Bee

* Laurel Parker has pointed out -

"I believe the term "dray" of squirrels is incorrect, since a dray is the name for a squirrel's sleeping quarters, and most of the time there is only one squirrel inhabiting a dray. At most, a dray would house a litter (2-4 babies) plus mom but that is only twice a year.

Squirrels do use a buddy system when they can and pair or triple up for safety ( this is not their mates but often siblings or two weaker members of a greater community will buddy for strength in numbers).

Any way you look at it, a dray doesn't hold much of a group."

I did some research on the subject and the term "dray" some appear to be the popular choice, however, like Laurel, experts say that as squirrels are fairly solitary creatures there is probably no need for a collective noun.

I doubt if the lady who sent in the photos featured on the following site would agree!

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/mammal-forums/12141-do-i-really-deserve.html 

 

STARLINGS A MURMATION of starlings.                              

Elazar Friedman

A MURMURATION of starlings. 

Corrected by Andrew Okulitch

A FILTH of starlings                                           

Wayne Bickley

A CHATTERING of starlings.

Richard Sanborn BA, MA, JD

AN AFFLICTION of starlings.

John Nanian

STINGRAYS A FEVER of stingrays.

Ellie Foran & Darryll Griffiths

STORKS A MUSTERING of storks.                                           

Melissa Bee

SWALLOWS

A FLIGHT or GULP of swallows

SWANS

A GAME, BANK, TEAM, HERD or BEVY* of swans.

A WEDGE of swans in the air.                                

Melissa Bee

A LAMENTATION of swans.                              

Michael Haberl

A BALLET  of swans.

Tom

SWIFTS A FLOCK of swifts                                           

Michael Haberl

SWINE

A HERD, DRIFT OR SOUNDER of swine

TADPOLES A CLOUD of tadpoles.

Summer Robinson

Jim Arnosky's book A Kettle of Hawks and other wildlife groups

TEAL A SPRING of teal.
TERMITES A BROOD, COLONY, NEST OR SWARM of termites.
THRUSHES A MUTATION of thrushes.
TIGERS An AMBUSH or STREAK* of tigers.                       

Melissa Bee

TOADS A KNOT or KNAB of toads                               

Clyde Hogendobler

TORTOISES A CREEP of tortoises.
TROUT A HOVER of trout.
TURKEYS A RAFTER or GANG* of turkeys.                           

*  Melissa Bee

A CLUTCH * of turkeys.                                                   

Anon

* I think this term usually refers to the eggs e.g. "a clutch of eggs"

TURTLE DOVES A PITYING or DULE of turtle doves.                         

Melissa Bee

TURTLES A BALE, DOLE or NEST* of turtles.

Clyde Hogendobler

A TURN of turtles. 

* Melissa Bee

UNICORNS A FANTASY of unicorns.

Natalie Stevens

A BLESSING of unicorns.                      

 Jayne Collins.

A GLORY of unicorns.

Brigitte Wray-Miller (via Bruce Coville)

A SURPRISE of unicorns.

Danielle W. (via Jane Yolen's short story "The Boy Who Drew Unicorns"

VIPERS A NEST of vipers.                                                                                   Melissa Bee

A BROOD of vipers.

The term 'brood' has been applied to vipers, most notably by Jesus (Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:33), but also by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7, Luke 3:7). Whether or not this stands up to scrutiny and qualifies as a precedent (given that neither of the two were scientists, nor were the translators of the Bible) is, of course, up to you.

Indy Sambasivam

VULTURES A COMMITTEE of vultures.                                                                                    

Kevin Yocum 

WALRUSES A HERD or POD of walruses.
WASPS A PLADGE of wasps.

A PAIL of wasps.

A NEST of wasps.                       

Alexandra Bylczynski

WATERFOWL

A BUNCH, KNOB, TRIP or PLUMP* of waterfowl     

                                                           *  Melissa Bee

WEASELS A **BOOGLE, GANG, *CONFUSION or PACK of weasels.                   

** Contributed by Dr Scott A McGinlay BVMS MRCVS DVM

*Wayne Bickley

WHALES

A SCHOOL, HERD or GAM of whales
A POD of whales (small school)
A GRIND of bottle nose whales

WIDGEON

A COMPANY or TRIP of widgeon

WILDFOWL

A BUNCH, TRIP or PLUMP of wildfowl.
A KNOB of wildfowl (less than 30)

WOLVES

A PACK or ROUT of wolves

WOMBATS A WISDOM of wombats.

Andy Williams

WOODCOCKS A FALL of woodcocks.
WOODPECKERS A DESCENT of woodpeckers.
WORMS A CLEW of worms.

WRENS

A HERD of wrens  

A CHIME of wrens                                                                                   Phillip Joss

ZEBRAS A ZEAL, HERD or DAZZLE* of zebras

                                              *  Raila and Jon Foley

Appendix:Glossary of collective nouns by subject

Here is a list of collective nouns by subject. Don't trust this list; many of these entries are fanciful and never found outside of word lists.

Subject Collective term
aardvarks An armoury of aardvarks
academics A faculty of academics
acrobats A troupe of acrobats
actors A cast, company, condescension, cry, or queue of actors
actresses An entrance of actresses
adders A sum of adders
aircraft A flight of aircraft
aircraft A wing of aircraft
aircraft, fighter A circus, or wing of fighter aircraft
albatrosses A rookery, weight of albatrosses
alpha computers A cluster of alpha computers
ammunition A cache of ammunition
angel fish A company of angel fish
angels A choir, chorus, flight, host, or pinhead of angels
anglers A catch of anglers
antelope A herd, cluster, tribe of antelope
ants An army, bike, colony, or swarm of ants
apes A shrewdness, or troop of apes
apples A bushel of apples
archer fish A company of archer fish
arrows A quiver of arrows
artillery A troop, battery of artillery
artistes (acrobats, singers or dancers) A troupe of artistes
artists (painters) A colony of artists
asses A coffle, drove, herd, or pace of asses
asteroids A belt of asteroids
athletes A team of athletes
auks A raft, colony, flock of auks
avocets A colony of avocets
baboons A congress, flange, rumpus, or troupe of baboons
bacteria A culture of bacteria
badgers A cete, clan, or colony of badgers
bakers An aroma, tabernacle of bakers
bananas A hand, bunch of bananas
bankers A wunch of bankers
bankers, [[]]Scottish A knot of Scottish bankers
Baptists An immersion of Baptists
barbels A shoal of barbels
barbers A babble of barbers
barbers, military A crew of military barbers
barflies A buzz of barflies
barons A thought of barons
barracuda A battery of barracuda
barristers A boast, wiggery of barristers
bass A shoal, fleet of bass
bastards A shower of bastards
bats A colony, cloud, cauldron of bats
bayonets A grove of bayonets
beans A hill of beans
bears A maul, pack, sloth, or sleuth of bears
beasts A nobility of beasts
beauties A bevy, or harmony of beauties
beavers A colony, family, or lodge of beavers
bees A bike, bike cast, cluster, erst, drift, game, grist, hive, hum, rabble, stand, or swarm of bees
beggar A coster, guild, parliament of beggars
bells A peal, change, or carillon of bells
bills A wad of bills
birds A congregation, flock, fleet, parcel, pod, or roost of birds
birds, large group A colony of birds (roosting in large numbers)
birds, small A dissimulation of birds (small birds)
birds, in flight A drift, or flight of birds (in flight)
birds, migrating A rush of birds (migrating)
birds, aviary A volery of birds (in an aviary)
bishops A sea, bench, or psalter of bishops
bison A herd, gang of bison
bitterns A pretence, sedge or siege of bitterns
blackbirds A cloud, flock, grind, merl of blackbirds
blackfish A grind of blackfish
blankets A swelter of blankets
bloodhounds A sute of bloodhounds
blossoms A flourish of blossoms
boars A herd, or singular of boars
boars, wild A sounder of wild boars
bobolinks A chain of bobolinks (polygamous bird, Ricebird)
bomblets A cluster of bomblets
books A library, pile, compendium of books
boors A rood of boors
borg A collective, hive of borg
bowlers A keg of bowlers
bowls A nest of bowl's
boys A blush, leer, passel or rascal of boys
brats A passel of brats
bread A batch of bread
brush, wood A bavin of brush (wood)
bucks A brace, clash, herd of bucks
budgerigars A chatter, flock of budgerigars
buffalo A gang, herd, or obsinancy of buffalo
bullfinches A bellowing, lowing of bullfinches
bullocks A drove of bullocks
burritos A pace of burritos
business angels A bevy of business angels
bustards A flock, wake of bustards
butterflies A flight, flutter, kaleidoscope, rabble, swarm, or wing of butterflies
butterfly fish A school of butterfly fish
buzzards A wake, kettle, pack of buzzards
cadets A corps of cadets
camels A caravan, flock, herd, train of camels
(canal) lock A flight of locks
candidates A slate of candidates
candies A mint of candies
canons A dignity, chapter of canons
canyons A maze of canyons
capercaillies A tok of capercaillies (i.e. Old World grouse)
capons A mews, muse of capons
cardinals A conclave, or radiance of cardinals
cards A deck, pack, hand of cards
caribou A herd of caribou
carpenters A pound of carpenters
cars A fleet, mayhem, or stack of cars
cat houses A mews of cat houses
caterpillars An army of caterpillars
Catholics A mass of Catholics
cats A clowder, cluster, clutter, destruction, dout, dowt, glaring, kindle, litter, or pounce of cats
cats and dogs A rain of cats and dogs
cattle A drift, drove, kine, mob, herd, team of cattle
cattle, two A yoke of cattle
cavalry A troop of cavalry
cavalry A squadron of cavalry
cellists A parenthesis of cellists
censors A gaggle of censors
chairs A fold of chairs
chamois A herd of chamois
cheerleaders An array of cheerleaders
cheetahs A coalition of cheetahs
chess players A board, or brood of chess players
chickens A brood, chattering, cletch, clutch, flock, or peep of chickens
children An ingratitude of children
chimpanzees A whoop, family, cartload of chimpanzees
chinchillas A colony, herd of chinchillas
choughs A chattering of choughs
churchgoers A congregation of churchgoers
churls A cluster of churls
circuits A bank of circuits
clams A bed of clams
claques A shriek of claques
clerks A school, rookery of clerks
clouds A soufflé of clouds
clowns A shudder, an alley, or pratfall of clowns
cobblers A cutting, drunken ship, drunkship, or load of cobblers
cobras A quiver of cobras
cocides A bed of cocides
cockatoos A chattering, clattering, cluttering, crackle, or family of cockatoos
cockles A bed of cockles
cockroaches An intrusion, or swarm of cockroaches
cock-turkeys A posse of cock-turkeys
cod A lap, school of cod
coins A roll, or roleau of coins
coloraturas A quaver of coloraturas
colts A rack, rag, or rake of colts
comedians A gaggle, or riot of comedians
communists A colhose of communists
computers A cluster of computers
computers, linked A network of computers (linked together)
condiments An accompaniment of condiments
conges A congerie of conges
conies A bury, or game of conies
convicts A gang of convicts
convicts A chain of convicts
cooks A temperance, hastiness of cooks
coots A commotion, cover, covert, fleet, flock, pod, raft, rasp, or swarm of coots
corgi A consort of corgi
cormorants A flight, gulp of cormorants
corn A sheaf, shock of corn (pile of stalks).
coughs A chattering of coughs
courtesans A harem of courtesans
cowboy mounts, extra A cavvy, or remuda of extra cowboy mounts
cowboys A saunter of cowboys
cows A drift, drove, flink, herd, kine, or mob of cows
coyotes A band, pack, rout, or run of coyotes
cranes A herd, sedge, siege, or flock of cranes
crickets An orchestra of crickets
crocodiles A bask, congregation, float, or nest of crocodiles
crows A cauldron, caucus, congress, cowardice, hover, murder, muster, parcel, or storytelling of crows
cubs A litter of cubs
curates A charge of curates
curlews A head, herd, salon, skein, or wedge of curlews
curs A cowardice of curs
cymbals A sign of cymbals
dachshunds A moxie of doxies
dancers, male A flight of dancers
dancers, female A float of dancers
dancers A gambol, or troupe of dancers
daubers A squat of daubers
deans A decanter, or decorum of deans
debtors A split of debtors
debutants A delirium of debutants
decorators A tantrum of decorators
deer, roe A bevy of roe deer
deer, two/three A brace (2), or leash (3) of deer
deer A bunch, herd, parcel, mob, or rangale of deer
dentists An amalgam, brace, or wince of dentists
dermatologists A rash of dermatologists
designers A set, or subtlety of designers
diagnosticians A guess of diagnosticians
dice A luck of dice
dictators A tyranny of dictators
dictionaries A meaning of dictionaries
dieters A pot of dieters
dilation A dilation of pupils
dinosaurs A herd, or pack of dinosaurs
directions A vane of directions
directors A gild, drove, or board of directors
barstaff A disappearance of barstaff
divorcees A desperation of divorcees
DIYers A bodge of DIYers
doctors A doctrine, or dose of doctors
documents A wealth, or dossier of documents
dodos An extinction of dodos
dogfish A troop of dogfish
dogs, two/three A brace (2), or leash (3) of dogs
dogs A kennel, or pack of dogs
dollars A fistful of dollars
dolphins A herd, flock, pod, school, or team of dolphins
dominoes A falling of dominoes
donkeys A herd, drove, or pace of donkeys
dons An obstruction of dons
doorkeepers A safeguard of doorkeepers
dotterel A trip of dotterel
doves A bevy, cote, dole, dule, exaltation, flight, piteousness, or prettying of doves
dowagers A bevy, or frost of dowagers
dragonet fish A swarm of dragonet fish
dragons A doom, flight, weyr, or wing of dragons
dray A dray of squirrels
drinks A round of drinks
drones, literary A swarm of literary drones
drongos A bunch of drongos
drugs A cocktail of drugs
drummers An asylum, fagot, or roll of drummers
drums A kettle of drums
drunks A load, or stone of drunks
ducks A brace, bunch, flush, flock, skein, sord, or string of ducks
ducks, on ground A badelynge of ducks (on the ground)
ducks, swimming A paddling of ducks (while swimming)
ducks, idle in water A raft of ducks (while idle in water)
ducks, flying A flight, plump, or team of ducks (while flying)
ducks, diving A dopping of ducks (diving)
dunbirds A rush, or flight of dunbirds
dung A pile of dung
dunlin A fling of dunlin
dwarves A shortage of dwarves
eagles An aerie, convocation, jubilee, soar, or spread of eagles
earth ware, broken A fragment of broken earth ware
ecdysiasts A strip of ecdysiasts (striptease artists)
economists A deficit or recession of economists
editors An erudition of editors
eels A fry or swarm of eels
eggs A clutch of eggs
egos A pumphouse of egos
eland A herd of eland
electors A college of electors
electricians A grid or ohm of electricians
elephants A herd, memory, or parade of elephants
elk A gang or herd of elk
Elvis impersonators A wiggle of Elvis impersonators
embarrassments A blush of embarrassments
emos An embarrassment of emos
emotions A wash of emotions
empiricists A tabula rasa of empiricists
employees A staff of employees
emus A mob of emus
engineers An awkward, design or geek of engineers
Englishmen A pound of Englishmen
epidemiologists A host of epidemiologists
Episcopalians A government of Episcopalians
equestrians A prance of equestrians
errands A hassle of errands
estimations A bout of estimations
experts A panel, discord of experts
exterminators A slew of exterminators
fairies A herd or fantasy of fairies
falcons, pair A cast of falcons
falcons A soar or tower of falcons
fans A thrill of fans
farts A gross of farts
Fence builders An encroachment of fence-builders
fencers A poke of fencers
ferrets A business, cast, or fesnyng of ferrets
finches A charm, chirm, company, trembling, or trimming of finches
fine print A pitfall of fine print
firewood A faggot of firewood
fish A catch, draught, drift, fray, haul, kettle, run, scale, school, or shoal of fish
fishermen A drift, exaggeration, grumble or sulk of fishermen
flamingos A flamboyance, flurry, regiment, skein, or stand of flamingos
flashers A phalanx or revelation of flashers
flautists A phalanx of flautists
flies A business, cloud, grist, hatch or swarm of flies
florists A bed, bouquet, bunch, garden, or patch of florists
flowers A bunch or bouquet of flowers
flying fish A glide of flying fish
footballers A coach of footballers
footsteps A patter of footsteps
foresters A stalk, coop of foresters
fowl A plump, trip, or skein (in flight) of fowl
foxes An earth, lead, skulk, or troop of foxes
foxes, three A leash (3) of foxes
freezers A glacier of freezers
Frenchmen A peck of Frenchmen
freshmen A clump, plentitude of freshman
friars A scull, skulk of friars
frogs A knot, froggery of frogs
frogs An army, colony of frogs
front end loaders A heap of front-end loaders
fungi A colony of fungi
fur seals A harem of seals (belonging to one male)
furniture A suite of furniture
gamblers A talent of gamblers
gangsters A knuckle of gangsters
gardeners A sprinkling of gardeners
gays A village of gays
gears A rack of gears
geese A flock, gaggle, trip, team of geese
geese A gaggle of geese (wild or domesticated) (on water)
geese A nide of geese
geese A skein of geese (in flight)
geese, flying A wedge of geese (flying in a "V")
geldings A clipping, brace of geldings
generals A glitter of generals
geneticists A helix of geneticists
geologists A conglomerate of geologists
geologists A formation of geologists
geometrists A plane of geometrists
gerbils A horde of gerbils
Germans A gross of Germans
ghosts A fraid of ghosts
ghosts A fright of ghosts
giraffes A corps of giraffe
giraffes A herd of giraffes
giraffes A stretch of giraffes
giraffes A totter of giraffes
giraffes A tower of giraffes
giraffes A JOURNEY of giraffes
girls A giggle of girls
girls, tanked sorority A bevy of tanked sorority girls
gloves A elicat of gloves
gluttons A slaver of gluttons
gnats A cloud of gnats
gnats A clout of gnats
gnats A horde of gnats
gnats A horde, swarm of gnats
gnus An implausibility, herd of gnus
goats A drove of goats
goats A flock, herd of goats
goats A tribe of goats
goats A trip of goats
gods A pantheon of gods
goldfinch A vein of goldfinch
goldfinches A drum, charm, glister, chattering, troubling of goldfinches
goldfish A glint, [[troubling[1]]] of goldfish
golf balls A flight of golf balls
golfers A lie of golfers
golfers A tedium of golfers
goons A plunder of goons
goosanders A dopping of goosanders
gorillas A band of gorillas
gorillas A woop of gorillas
goshawks A flight of goshawks
goslings A [[shoal[e]]], skein of goslings
gossip columnists A slither of gossip columnists
gossips A dish of gossips
gourmands A delicatessen of gourmands
gourmets A elicatessen of gourmets
governesses A galaxy of governesses
graduate students A fortitude of graduate students
graduates An unemployment of graduates
grammarians A conjunction of grammarians
grandparents A nag of grandparents
grandparents A wisdom of grandparents
grapes A bunch, cluster of (sour) grapes
grasses A fistful of grasses
grasshoppers A cloud of grasshoppers
grasshoppers A cluster of grasshoppers
grasshoppers A swarm of grasshoppers
greyhounds A gallop, leash of greyhounds
griffins A pryde of griffins
grits A mess of grits
groupies A grope of groupies
grouse A brace (2) of grouse
grouse A brood of grouse (large group)
grouse A covey of grouse (single family)
grouse A drumming of grouse (derivation: their mating call]], [[generated with the wings)
grouse A lek of grouse
grouse A pack, flight of grouse
guillemots A bazaar of guillemots
guinea pigs A group of guinea pigs
gulls A colony, pack of gulls
gulls A screech of gulls
gunships A hailstorm of gunships
gurus A profit of gurus
gym instructors A set of gym instructors
gymnasts A tumbler of gymnasts
gynaecologists A [[smear o gynaecologists
gypsies A store of gypsies
hackers A cruft of hackers
hair A tuz, lock, wig of hair
hairdressers A set, swish of hairdressers
hammers A morning of hammers
hamsters A horde of hamsters
hand tools A grip of hand tools
hares A down of hares
hares A husk, huske of hares
hares A leap of hares
hares A leash (3)]] of hares
hares A trace, flick, herd, kindle of hares
hares A trip, drove, warren of hares
haries A swarm of haries
harlots A herd of harlots
harpers A melody of harpers
harps A twangle of harps
hartebeest A herd of hartebeest
harts A herd of harts
haute bourgeoisie An ennui of haute bourgeoisie
hawks A boil, schizophrenia, mews, aerie, moulting, screw, stream of hawks
hawks A cast of hawks (a pair released after game))
hawks A kettle of hawks (riding a thermal)
hawks A leash (3) of hawks
hawks An aerie, moulting, screw, stream of hawks
hedgehogs A prickle, array of hedgehogs
hedonists A debauchery of Hedonists
heirs An expectation of heirs
helicopters A hover of helicopters
helpers A hamper of helpers
hens A brood of hens
herdsmen A waywardness of herdsmen
hermits An observance of hermits
herons A hedge, siege, sedge, sege, station, rookery, flight, colony of herons
herrings A glean, shoal, army of herrings
hills An undulation of hills
hinds A parcel of hinds
hippies A trip of hippies
hippopotami A crash, pod, school, thunder of hippopotami
hippopotami A herd, bloat of hippopotami
hippos A huddle of hippos
hit men, retired A slew of retired hit men
hitmen A magnum of hitmen
hobos A bindle of hobos]], A flagon of hobos
hogs A drift, drove of hogs
hogs A parcel of hogs
hogs A passel of hogs
homework A slew of homework
homosexuals An ensemble of homosexuals
hoodlums A gang of hoodlums
hornets A bike, nest, swarm of hornets
horsemen A cavalcade of horsemen
horseplayers A parlay of horseplayers
horses A harras of horses (breeding)
horses A herd, troop, string, drove of horses
horses A pair of horses
horses A remuda of horses (in a large group]], [[as a herd)
horses A span (team of 2) of horses
horses A stable of horses
horses A stud of horses
horses A team of horses
hostlers A laughter of hostlers
hounds A brace (2) leash (3) of hounds
hounds A cry of hounds
hounds A hunt, meet of hounds
hounds A kennel of hounds
hounds A mute of hounds
hounds A pack of hounds
hounds A stable of hounds
hounds A sute of hounds
housekeepers A foresight of housekeepers
houses A huddle of houses
humming birds A hover of hummingbirds
hummingbirds A charm, shimmer, glittering, bouquet, chattering, drum, troubling of hummingbirds
hunters A blast of hunters
husbands A multiply of husbands
husbands An unhappiness of husbands
hybrids A vigour of hybrids
hyenas A cackle of hyenas
hyenas A clan of hyenas
ibex A herd of ibex
ibises A colony of ibises
icebergs A crush of icebergs
icebergs A drift of icebergs
ichthyologists A scale of ichthyologists
icons A shield of icons
idiots A thicket of idiots
iguanas A mess of iguanas
impalas A couple of impalas
impediments A vagary of impediments
impressionists A blur of impressionists
infantry A crèche of infantry
information A wealth of information
ingénues A spate of ingénues
in-laws An imposition of in-laws
insects A flight, cloud of insects
insects A swarm, plague, horde, rabble of insects
instruments, musical A parley of musical instruments
intellects A pretension of intellects
interpreters A tongue lashing of interpreters
Irishmen A pint of Irishmen
islands A chain of islands
islands An archipelago of islands
Italians An explosion of Italians
jackdaws A train, pair, band of jackdaws
jackrabbits A husk of jackrabbits
jays A band of jays
jays A cast of jays
jays A party of jays
jays A scold of jays
jellyfish A fluther of jellyfish
jellyfish A smack of jellyfish
jellyfish A smuth, smuck of jellyfish
jellyfish A studk, stuck of jellyfish
jewellers A ring of jewellers
jewels A cache of jewels
Jews A minyan of Jews (the quorum for a congregation)
jigsaw puzzlers An assemblage of jigsaw puzzlers
jockeys A race of jockeys
joggers A wheeze of joggers
journalists A scoop, slant of journalists
judges A bench, sentence, bevy of judges
jugglers A neverthriving of jugglers
juniors A gratitude of juniors
kangaroo A flock, troop of kangaroo
kangaroos A court of kangaroos (see note)
kangaroos A mob of kangaroos
kangaroos A troop of kangaroos
keglers A bowl of keglers
kestrels A flight, soar of kestrels
keys A ring of keys (linked physically)
kids A caper of kids
kingfishers A concentration, realm, rattle, clique of kingfishers
kites (birds) A kettle, soar, roost of kites
kittens A kindle of kittens
kittens (cats) A litter of kittens (cats)
kittens (rabbits) A wrack of kittens (rabbits)
kleptomaniacs A clutch of kleptomaniacs
knaves A riff raff of knaves
knights A banner of knights
knights A rout(e) of knights
knots A medusa, cluster of knots
ladies A bevy of ladies
lambs A fall of lambs
lambs A rack of lambs
lamentations A moan of lamentations
lapwings A deceit, desert of lapwings
larks A bevy, flight, happiness, springful of larks
larks An ascension of larks
larks An exaltation, exalting of larks
lavatories A flush of lavatories
laws, bad A strangle of bad laws
lawyers A disputation of lawyers
lawyers A greed of lawyers
lawyers A huddle of lawyers
lawyers A quarrel of lawyers
lawyers An eloquence of lawyers
lawyers An escheat of lawyers
leaves An autumn of leaves
lecturers A drift of lecturers
leopards A leap, lepe of leopards
lepers A colony of lepers
lesbians A tough of lesbians
leverets A kindle of leverets
liberals A pink of liberals
librarians A catalogue of librarians
librarians A stack, shush of librarians
lice A colony, infestation, flock of lice
lines A pencil of lines (proper contemporary group term in mathematics.)
linguists A babble of linguists
linnets A parcel of linnets
lions A pride of lions
lions A sault of lions
lions A sowse, troop, flock of lions
lispers A plethora of lispers
listeners A fascination, audience of listeners
lizards A lounge of lizards
llamas A herd of llamas
loafers A multiplication of loafers
locals A plague of locals
locusts A plague, cloud, swarm of locusts
logicians A sequitur of logicians
lollies A packet of lollies
loopholes A ho ho! of loopholes
lorries A fleet, convoy of lorries
lovebirds A pair, orgy of lovebirds
lovers A trance of lovers
luddites A smashing of luddites
luminaries An array of luminaries
lutists A litany of lutists
lynx A chain of lynx
machine guns A nest of machine guns
mackerel A shoal of mackerel
magicians An illusion of magicians
magistrates A bench of magistrates
magpies A congregation, charm, flock, gulp, murder, tiding, tittering, tribe of magpies
maidens A rage of maidens
mallards A lute, battling of mallards
mallards A puddling of mallards (on water)
mallards A sord, sute, flush of mallards (Old French sordre = rise up in flight)
managers An asylum of managers
maps An atlas of maps
marching bands A Sousa of marching bands
mares A stud of mares
mares, brood An overbearance of brood mares
marines A muscle of marines
martens A richness, richesse of martens
masseurs A pummel of masseurs
masters An example of masters
matadors A pavanne of matadors
mathematicians A number of mathematicians
mathematicians A set of mathematicians
mathematicians An addition of mathematicians
matrons A riches of matrons
meanderings A confusion of meanderings
meatheads A density of meatheads
mechanics A clutch, torque of mechanics
mediators A compromise, caucus of mediators
men A band of (merry) men
men A host of men
merchants A faith of merchants
messengers A diligence of messengers
metallurgists An amalgamation of metallurgists
meteorologists A shower of meteorologists
mice A nest, horde, mischief, click, trip of mice
microbiologists A colony of microbiologists
midges A bite of midges
midwives An expectation of midwives
minks A richness of minks
minnows A shoal, steam, stream, swarm of minnows
misers A horde of misers
mites A mite of mites
mockingbirds An impression, plagiary, exactness, echo, precision, ridicule of mockingbirds
models A slouch of models
moles A company of moles
moles A labour of moles
moles A movement, arbour of moles
money A wad, rouleau, cache of money
mongooses A band, pack of mongooses
mongrels A ménage of mongrels
monitors A bank of monitors
monkeys A barrel of monkeys
monkeys A machination, wilderness of monkeys
monkeys A mission of monkeys
monkeys A tribe of monkeys
monkeys A troop, troup, cartload of monkeys
monks An abominable sight of monks
monks An abomination of monks (see note)
moorhens A plump of moorhens
moose A herd of moose
Mormons A book of Mormons
morning glories A dawn of morning glories
morticians A slab of morticians
mosquitoes A scourge, swarm of mosquitoes
mothers A consternation of mothers
mothers-in-law A mutter of mothers-in-law
motorcyclist A clutch of motorcyclists
mountains A range of mountains
mourners A cortege of mourners
mourners A pathos of mourners
moving men A truculence of moving men
mudhen A fleet of mudhen
mules A barren of mules
mules A pack, rake, string of mules
mules A span (team of 2) mules
mushrooms A troop, sproutness of mushrooms
musicians A band of musicians
musicians An orchestra of musicians
mussels A bed of mussels
mythological creatures A bestiary of mythological creatures
narcissists A mug of narcissists
narcissists A reflection of narcissists
natives A tribe of natives
Nazis A jungle of Nazis
neighbours An annoyance, nerve of neighbours
newsboys A scream of newsboys
newscasters A veneer of newscasters
niccolos A nonsense of niccolos
nieces A squeal of nieces
night students A pallor of night students
nightingales A watch, match, pray, kettle of nightingales
nightwatchmen A pallor of nightwatchmen
Northerners A freeze of Northerners
nouns A collective of nouns
nouns A propriety of nouns
nuns A murmur of nuns (as of their sound)
nuns A prey, flap, convent of nuns
nuns A superfluity of nuns
nymphomaniacs A spread of nymphomaniacs
oarsmen A row of oarsmen
objectivists A Rand of Objectivists
objects A collection of objects
office boys An ogle of office boys
officers A mess, execution of officers
old guard A slumber of old guard
onlookers A crowd of onlookers
on-lookers A fascination of on-lookers
optometrists A vision of optometrists
orangutans A buffoonery of orangutans
orchids A coterie of orchids
orgiasts A concatenation of orgiasts
orphans An abandonment of orphans
orthodontists A brace of orthodontists
orthopaedists A cast, brace of orthopaedists
osteopaths A joint of osteopaths
ostriches A wobble, pride, flock of ostriches
otologists A herd of otologists (a physician who specializes
otters A romp, family, raft, bevy, ramp of otters
over achievers A leap of over achievers
ovoids A metamorphosis of ovoids
owls A parliament of owls
owls A stare of owls
owls A wisdom, sagaciousness of owls
oxbirds A fling of oxbirds
oxen A span, meinie of oxen
oxen A team, drove, herd of oxen
oxen A yoke (2) of oxen
oysters A bed, hive of oysters
oysters, young A set of young oysters
Pacificans A troop of Pacificans
padres A host of padres
painters An illusion, madder, curse, misbelieving of painters
paisleys A swirl of paisleys
palindrome A tenet of palindromes
palm readers A handful of palm readers
paparazzi A flash of paparazzi
paper A pad of (sheets of) paper
paper A ream of paper (see note)
paratroops A storm of paratroops
pardoners A lying of pardoners
parents A persistence of parents
parents An embarrassment of parents(for use by teenagers)
parishioners A kneeling of parishioners
parking attendants A lot of parking attendants
parrots A company, flock of parrots
parrots A pandemonium of parrots
parrots A prattle, psittacosis of parrots
parrs A glut of parrs
particulars A bill of particulars
partridges A covey, bevy, cover, brace of partridges
partridges A warren, clutch of partridges
pathologists A body of pathologists
patients A virtue of patients
patrick A bungle of patricks
peacocks A muster of peacocks
peacocks A pride, pulchritude of peacocks
peacocks An ostentation of peacocks
pearls A rope, string of pearls
peas A pod of peas
pedants A parliament of pedants
peddlers A malapertness (= impertinence) of peddlers
pekinese A pomp of pekinese
pelicans A brief, rookery, scoop, colony, raft, squadron, [[pod
penguins A colony, rookery of penguins
penguins A crèche of penguins
penguins A formality of penguins
penguins A huddle of penguins
penguins A parade, [[waddle (on dry land),
penguins A parcel of penguins
penguins A rookery of penguins
Pentecostals A glossolalia of Pentecostals
people A congregation, crowd of people
perch A pack of perch
percussionist A meter of percussionists
peregrines A cadge of peregrines
performers A [[troup(e)of performers
phantoms A phantasmagoria of phantoms
pharmacists A mixture of pharmacists
pheasants A bouquet of pheasants (when flushed)
pheasants A covey of pheasants (while on the ground)
pheasants A covey, nest of pheasants
pheasants A head, warren of pheasants
pheasants A nye, nide of pheasants (while on the ground)
philatelists A stampede of philatelists
philosophers A ponder, confusion of philosophers
philosophers A wrangle of philosophers
photographers A clique of photographers
photographers A snap of photographers
photons An enlightenment of photons
physicians A college of physicians
physicists A nucleus of physicists
pianists A pound of pianists
pigeons A dropping of pigeons
pigeons A kit, flight of pigeons (flying together)
pigeons A loft, flock of pigeons
piglets A farrow,passel of piglets
piglets A litter, farrow of piglets
pigs A drove of pigs
pigs A fleet of pigs
pigs A herd of pigs
pigs A litter of pigs
pigs A sounder of pigs
pilchards A shoal, school of pilchards
pill-poppers A gaggle of pill poppers
pilots A yoke of pilots
pintail A knob of pintail
pipers A poverty of pipers
pipers A skirl of pipers
pistols A brace of pistols
planes A stack of planes
planets A quincunx of planets
plankton A cloud of plankton
plans A breakdown of plans
players A cry of players
players A huddle, retinue of players
playingcards A pack, deck of playingcards
playwrights A plot of playwrights
pleasure A glut of pleasure
pleasures A guilt of pleasures
plovers A congregation of plovers
plovers A stand, band, leash of plovers
plovers A wing, flight of plovers
plumbers A flood of plumbers
plumbers A flush of plumbers
pochard A rush, flight, knob (small number) of pochard
poems An anthology of poems
poets A rhyme of poets
poets An iamb of poets
poets An obscurity of poets
poker players A stud of poker players
polar bears An aurora, pack of polar bears
polecats A chine of polecats
politicians A lie of politicians
politicians An equivocation of politicians
politicians An odium of politicians
ponies A string of ponies
poodles A salon of Poodles
porcupine fish A cluster of porcupine fish
porcupines A prickle of porcupines
porpoises A herd, pod, school, gam of porpoises
porpoises A turmoil of porpoises
porters A grip of porters
porters A safeguard of porters
portfolio managers A stock of portfolio managers
posers A posse of posers
possum A passel of possum
posties A parcel of posties
potato chips A salt substrate of potato chips
pottage A mess of pottage
poultry A run of poultry
prairie dogs A coterie, town of prairie dogs
preachers A converting of preachers
preachers A pontification of preachers
prelates A pontifica of prelates
prelates A pontificality of prelates
premises A breach of premises
Presbyterians A membership of Presbyterians
Press Officers An Alancrockford of Press Officers
pretzels A salt substrate of pretzels
priests A discretion of priests
priests A lechery of priests
priests A mass of priests
priests A superfluity of priests
prima donnas A spite of prima donnas
princes A state of princes
prisoners A pity of prisoners
proctologists A buttload, pile of proctologists
professors A pomposity of professors
professors emeriti An ex cathedra of professors emeriti
professors, assistant A clamber of assistant professors
professors, associate A tenure of associate professors
professors, full An entrenchment of professors
programmers An archive of programmers
programmers, Microsoft computer An asylum, bloat of Microsoft computer programmers
proofreaders A squint of proofreaders
prose An anthology of prose
prostitutes A stable of prostitutes
prostitutes A whored of prostitutes
prostitutes An anthology of pros (prostitutes) (see note)]], A firm of solicitors]], A jam of tarts]], A flourish of strumpets
psychoanalysts A complex of psychoanalysts
psychologists A complex of psychologists
ptarmigans A covey of ptarmigans
public speakers A twaddle of public speakers
puddles A splash of puddles
puffins A raft, improbability, circus, loomery of puffins
pugilists A box of pugilists
pugs A grumble of Pugs
puns A groan of puns
pupils A dilation of pupils
puppies A litter of puppies
puppies A piddle of puppies
pyromaniacs A blaze of pyromaniacs
pyromaniacs A conflagration of pyromaniacs
quail A bevy, flush, knob, rout, shake of quail
quail A covey of quail
quail A drift of quail
Quakers A meeting of Quakers
queers A camp of queers
quilts A hotbed of quilts
rabbits A bury, berry, colony, drove, herd, leash, nest, trace, trip, warren, wrack of rabbits
raccoons A mask, gaze, nursery of raccoons
racehorses A field, meet, string of racehorses
radio announcers A herd of radio announcers
radiologists A series of radiologists
railroad schedules A tragedy of railroad schedules
rainbow fish A party of rainbow fish
rats A colony, mischief of rats
rats A pack of rats
rats A rabble of rats
rats A swarm, horde, plegue of rats
rattle snakes A rhumba of rattle snakes
ravens A conspiracy, storytelling, tower, aerie, parliament of ravens
ravens A constable of ravens
ravens An unkindness of ravens
ravers A scatter of ravers
realtors A lot of realtors
reasons A rainbow of reasons
rebuttals A quiver of rebuttals
redwing A crowd of redwing
reeds A clump of reeds
refugees A flight of refugees
relatives A descent of relatives
relatives A gossip of relatives
renters A knot of renters
repairmen An overcharge of repairmen
reporters A scoop of reporters
reviewers A pan of reviewers
rhinoceroses A crash, herd, stubbornness of rhinoceroses
ribs A rack of ribs
riches An embarrassment of riches
rioters A melee of rioters
roach A shoal of roach
road ragers A stack of road ragers
robbers A band of robbers
robins A worm of robins
roe deer A bevy of roe deer
roebucks A bevy of roebucks
roes A bevy of roes
rooks A building, congregation, shoal, wing of rooks
rooks A clamour, storytelling of rooks
rooks A parliament of rooks
ruffs A hill of ruffs
sailors A crew of sailors
sailors A deck of sailors
saints A calendar of saints
salesmen A sample of salesmen
salmon A bind, school, shoal, draught of salmon
salmon A run, leap of salmon
salt A lot of salt
saltines A salt substrate of saltines
sandpipers A fling of sandpipers
sardines A family of sardines
satellites A constellation of satellites
scholars A brow of scholars
schoolboys A rout of schoolboys
schoolies A chalk of schoolies
Scots A disworship, clan of Scots
Scots A fifth of Scots
scouts A woggle of scouts
sea fowl A cloud of sea fowl
seagulls A flock, flotilla, screech, squabble, scavenging of seagulls
seahorses A herd of seahorses
seals A plum, herd, team of seals
seals A pod, bob, colony, crash, harem, plump of seals
seals A rockery, rookery of seals
seals A spring of seals
seamstresses A scolding of seamstresses
second thoughts A clutch of second thoughts
seismologists A quake of seismologists
senators A compromise of senators
senators A house of senators
senators A pomposity of senators
seniors An attitude of seniors
sergeants at law A subtlety of sergeants at law
sermons A squash of sermons
servants An obeisance of servants
shad A shoal of shad
sharks A shiver, school, shoal of sharks
sheep A flock, mob, herd, drift, drove, fold, wing of sheep
sheep A trip, hurtle, down, meinie, parcel of sheep
sheets (paper) A pad of sheets
sheldrakes A doading, dopping of sheldrakes
shells (sea) A midden of shells
shells, artillery A broadside of (artillery) shells (on water)
shells, artillery A salvo of [artillery] shells
shepherds A Sodom of shepherds
sheriffs A posse of sheriffs
ships A fleet of ships
ships A flotilla of ships
ships An armada of ships
shoelaces A knot of shoelaces
shoemakers A blackening of shoemakers
shoes A scandal, pair of shoes
shoppers A crush of shoppers
show dogs A bench of show dogs
shrimps A troup of shrimps
silk screens A pull of silk-screens
silks (QCs) A purse of silks
silver foxes A richness of silver foxes
similes A superfluity of similes
singers A choir, harmony of singers
Sirens A wail of sirens
skunks A stench, surfeit of skunks
slaves A coffle of (chained) slaves
slugs A cornucopia of slugs
smelt A quantity of smelt
smokers A billow, hack of smokers
snails A rout, escargatoire, walk of snails
snakes A bed, knot, trogle of snakes
snakes A den of snakes
snakes A nest of snakes
snakes A pit of snakes
snakes A slither of snakes
snipe A walk of snipe (at rest)
snipe A wisp, leash, volley, whisper of snipe
software A crash of software
soldiers A boast of soldiers
soldiers A company of soldiers
soldiers A division of soldiers
soldiers A muster of soldiers
soldiers A platoon, troop of soldiers
soldiers A squad of soldiers
soldiers An army, brigade of soldiers
sophomores A platitude of sophomores
sopranos A sweetness of sopranos
source code A bottle of source code
sparrows A host, tribe of sparrows
sparrows A meinie of sparrows
sparrows A quarrel of sparrows
sparrows A ubiquity of sparrows
spatulas A beautification of spatulas
speed cameras A tyranny of speed cameras
sphincters A clench of sphincters
spiders A cluster of spiders
spiders A clutter of spiders
spies A treachery of spies
sponsors A splurge of sponsors
squirrels A dray of squirrels (a nest)
squirrels A scurry, colony of squirrels
stage hands A brace of stage hands
stage mothers A pride of stage mothers
stairs A flight of stairs
stalkers A following of stalkers
starlets A cupful of starlets
starlets A galaxy of starlets
starlets A wiggle of starlets
starlings A clutter, chattering, constellation, filth, flight, vulgarity, cloud, congregation of starlings
starlings A murmuration of starlings
stars A constellation of stars
stars A galaxy of stars
stars A wonder of stars
statesmen A disagreement of statesmen
statisticians A number of statisticians
sticklebacks A shoal, spread of sticklebacks
sticks A fagot of sticks
stoats A pack, trip of stoats
stockbrokers A portfolio of stockbrokers
storks A muster of storks
storks A mustering of storks
storks A phalanx of storks
storks A silence, swoop, flight of storks
straphangers A puree of straphangers
strumpets A fanfare of strumpets
students A class of students
students A failing of students
students A flunk of students
sub-atomic particles A minuscule of sub-atomic particles
submarines A pack of submarines
submarines A wolfpack of submarines
suburbanites A transplant of suburbanites
suitcases A pack of suitcases
suitors A bleach of suitors (another name for cobblers)
suitors A swarm of suitors
summoners An untruth of summoners
surfers A wave of surfers
surfers A whale of surfers
surgeons An incision of surgeons
surprises A boo of surprises
surveyors A chain of surveyors
suspects A fidget of suspects
swallows A flight of swallows
swallows A gulp, kettle, swoop, richness of swallows
swans A ballet, team, whiting, squadron of swans
swans A bank, herd, sounder, drift, lamentation of swans
swans A game, herd, bevy of swans
swans A regatta of swans (on water)
swans A whiteness of swans
swans An eyrar of swans
swans, flying A wedge of swans (flying in a "V")
swedish A bork of swedish
swifts A flock, drift of swifts
swimmers A raft of swimmers
swimmers, long distance A league of long distance swimmers
swine A drift of swine (wild)
swine A drove of swine
swine A herd of swine
swine A sounder of swine (tame)
swine A trip of swine (tame)
swingers A bed of swingers
Swiss A watch of Swiss
swordfish A flotilla of swordfish
sycophants A gush of sycophants
sycophants A swarm of sycophants
tailors A disguising of tailors
tailors A proud showing of tailors
tanks A clank of tanks
tanks A clatter of tanks
tapirs A candle of tapirs
tapsters A promise of tapsters
TARDISes A manor of TARDISes
tarts A jam of tarts
tasks An agenda of tasks
taverners A cajolery of taverners
taverners A glazing (= fawning) of taverners
taxis A charge of taxis
teachers A quiz of teachers
teal A diving of teal
teal A spring, string, raft, knob, bunch, coil of teal
teddy bears A hug of teddy bears
teenagers A grunt of teenagers
teenagers An attitude of teenagers
tennis games A set of tennis games
termites A colony, swarm of termites
terriers A terror of terriers
testicles A clutch of testicles
tests A battery of tests
Texans A mob of Texans
theoretical physicists A field of theoretical physicists
thieves A den, skulk of thieves
things A bunch, cluster of things
threshers A thrave of threshers
thrushes A mutation of thrushes
tigers A hide of tigers
tigers A streak of tigers
tigers An ambush of tigers
tinkers A wandering of tinkers
toadies A pander of toadies
toads A knot of toads (derivation: appearance.)
toads A lump, nest, knob of toads
todays A twinkling of todays
tomorrows A promise of tomorrows
tongues A convention of tongues
tongues A jagger of tongues
tortoises A creep of tortoises
toucans A durante of toucans
tourists A flock, glaze of tourists
toys An assembly of toys
trainers, personal A torment of trainers
trains A postponement, cancellation of trains
tranquilizers An equanimity of tranquilizers
transvestites A camp, travesty of transvestites
trash A heap of trash
tree surgeons A graft of tree surgeons
trees A clump, forest, coupe of trees
trees A grove of trees
trees A stand of trees
trees A thicket of trees
trees A stillness of trees
tricksters A tangle of tricksters
troops A parel of troops
troubles A shitload of troubles
trout A hover, shoal of trout
trucks A convoy of trucks
trumpets A flourish of trumpets
trustees A board of trustees
truths A pithy of truths
tubas A tumult of tubas
tuna A float, troup of tuna
turds A steam of turds
turkeys A brood of turkeys (immature)
turkeys A death-row of turkeys
turkeys A flock, dole, dule, gang, posse of turkeys
turkeys A raffle of turkeys
turkeys A rafter, raft of turkeys
turtledoves A pitying, dule, peerage of turtledoves
turtles A bale of turtles
turtles A dule of turtles
turtles A turn of turtles
twitches An embarrassment of twitches
two-up players A stoop of two-up players
umbrellas A phalanx of umbrellas
under achievers A drowse of under achievers
undertakers An unction (or extreme unction) of undertakers
unicorns A blessing, glory, or marvel of unicorns
urologists A void of urologists
used car salesmen A great deal of used car salesmen
ushers A set of ushers
vacationers A peel of vacationers
vases, broken A mingling of broken vases
vegetarians A sprig of vegetarians
vellum A cutch of vellum
vendors A haggle of vendors
vicaries (vicars) A prudence of vicaries (vicars)
violinists A string of violinists
vipers A nest, generation of vipers
voles A colony of voles
voters A constituency of voters
voters A desperation of voters
vultures A wake, nest, colony, looming, meal, venue, vortex of vultures
wagers A book of wagers
waiters An absence of waiters
waiters An indifference of waiters
waiters An order of waiters]], absence of waiters
walkers An amble of walkers
wallabies A mob of wallabies
walruses A herd, pod, huddle of walruses
walruses An ugly of walruses
wankers A palm of wankers
wardrobe ladies A measure of wardrobe ladies
warlocks An incantation of warlocks
wasps A nest, destruction, bike, colony, of wasps
wasps A pail of wasps
waterfowl A bunch of waterfowl
waterfowl A knob of waterfowl (less than 30)
waterfowl A plump of waterfowl
waterfowl A raft of waterfowl (on water)
weasels A sneak of weasels(derivation: behaviour)
weasels A sneak, pack, gang of weasels
webmasters A linkage of webmasters
webmasters A net of webmasters
webpages A charlotte of webpages
weed A stash of weed (when hidden)
Weight Watchers A wailing of Weight Watchers
whales A gam, plump of whales
whales A grind of whales (bottle-nosed)
whales A herd, mob of whales
whales A pod of whales
whales A school, float, shoal, run, troup of whales
whales. bottle-nosed A grind of whales
wheat A sheaf of wheat (stalks]] of grain tied together.)
whiting A pod of whiting
whores A Parliament of whores (also Congress)
widgeon A coil, company, trip, flight, bunch, knob of widgeon
widgeon A raft of widgeon (wild duck)
widows An ambush of widows
wikipedians A page of wikipedians
wildcats A destruction, dout of wild cats
wildebeest A herd of wildebeest
wildfowl A know (less than 30) of wildfowl
wildfowl A plump, bunch, trip, knob, lute, scry, skein, sord of wildfowl
willows A bend of willows
windmills A tilt of windmills
wine tasters A bouquet of wine tasters
wing-commanders A flush of wing commanders (aka "WCs".)
winners A shout of winners
winnings A purse of winnings
winter fishermen A chill of winter fishermen
witches A coven of witches
witches An incantation of witches
wives An impatience of wives
wolves A herd of wolves
wolves A pack of wolves
wolves A rout(e) of wolves
wombats A warren, mob of wombats
women A gaggle of women
women, leering A clutch of leering women
woodcocks A fall, covey, plump, flight of woodcocks
woodpeckers A descent, descension of woodpeckers
woodpeckers A gatling of woodpeckers
woodwinds A cord of woodwinds
words A babel of words
worms A clew of worms
worms A wriggle of worms
worshipers A congregation of worshipers
wrens A herd, flock of wrens
wrestlers A clutch, crunch of wrestlers
writers A worship of writers
yaks A herd of yaks
yeomen A fellowship of yeomen
yes men A concert of yes men
yesterdays A flight of yesterdays
yesterdays A yearning of yesterdays
yolks A burden of yolks
young oysters A set of young oysters
youths An optimism of youths
zebra A herd, cohort, stripe of zebra

 

Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns are nouns that can be touched, smelled, seen, felt, or tasted. Steak, table, dog, Maria, salt, and wool are all examples of concrete nouns.

Can I pet your dog? Please pass the salt. Your sweater is made of fine wool.

Concrete nouns can be perceived by at least one of our senses.

Abstract Nouns

More ethereal, theoretical concepts use abstract nouns to refer to them. Concepts like freedom, love, power, and redemption are all examples of abstract nouns.

They hate us for our freedom. All you need is love. We must fight the power.

In these sentences, the abstract nouns refer to concepts, ideas, philosophies, and other entities that cannot be concretely perceived.

Pronouns

Personal pronouns are types of nouns that take the place of nouns when referring to people, places or things. The personal pronouns in English are I, you, he, she, it, and they.

Amy works at a flower shop. She works at a flower shop.

The Greeks invented democracy. They invented democracy.

These pronouns take on other forms depending on what type of function they are performing in a sentence. For example, when used to signify possession of another noun, pronouns take on their possessive form such as mine, ours, hers, and theirs.

That pizza belongs to Marley. That pizza is hers.

When used as the object of a preposition, pronouns take on their objective case. Examples include him, her, me, us, and them.

Hand the money over to Jennifer. Hand the money over to her.

The police are on to John and Ray. The police are on to them.

Bottomline: There are nine types or classifications of nouns, each designed to serve a different purpose in a sentence.



 
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