mob
B1Predominantly informal (noun sense 1, verb, collective animal sense). Formal in historical/legal contexts referring to organised crime (e.g., 'the Mob').
Definition
Meaning
A large, disorderly, and often aggressive crowd of people.
Used to refer to a criminal gang or organised crime group. Also used informally as a collective noun for a general group of people or animals, and as a verb meaning to crowd around someone in an aggressive or enthusiastic way.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning carries negative connotations of unruliness and potential violence. The informal collective use ("the whole mob") is casual and often humorous. The criminal sense (capitalised 'Mob') specifically refers to groups like the Mafia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all core senses. The specific association with 'the Mafia' is stronger in American usage. 'Mob' as a verb for crowding is equally common.
Connotations
Identical. Both perceive it as negative for a riotous crowd, neutral/informal for a general group, and specific for organised crime.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English for the informal collective sense (e.g., "my family mob").
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[mob] + [noun] (mob violence)[be] + [mobbed] + [by] + [crowd/fans][mob] + [together]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mob-handed (UK informal: in large numbers, especially to exert force)”
- “The mob has spoken (humorous: indicating a group decision by popular demand)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in 'mob mentality' referring to irrational herd behaviour in markets.
Academic
Used in history/sociology (e.g., 'the mob in the French Revolution'), criminology ('organised crime mobs').
Everyday
Common for describing unruly crowds or informal groups ("The whole office mob is going for lunch").
Technical
Not technical. In gaming/AI, 'mob' can mean a mobile NPC or monster.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Fans mobbed the actor as he left the theatre.
- The shop was mobbed during the sale.
American English
- Reporters mobbed the senator after the hearing.
- The new phone launch mobbed the store with customers.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. The idiom 'mob-handed' functions adverbially.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- It was a mob-handed raid by the police. (idiomatic)
- Mob rule took over in the chaotic protest.
American English
- He's a mob boss with connections. (criminal sense)
- The investigation uncovered mob activity in the city.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A large mob gathered in the square.
- The children mobbed the ice cream van.
- Police were called to control an angry mob outside the stadium.
- She was mobbed by fans asking for autographs.
- The film depicts the mob mentality that can take over during riots.
- He was accused of having links to organised crime mobs.
- The politician's speech was an attempt to placate the restless mob, invoking fears of mob rule.
- Historical analysis often contrasts the revolutionary 'mob' with the organised political factions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an **angry MOB** shouting "**MOB**-ilise!" – connecting it to a moving, agitated crowd.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GROUP IS AN UNRULY FORCE (e.g., 'a mob of reporters descended', 'mob justice').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using "моб" (a gaming term) for a real crowd. Use "толпа" or "банда" (criminal).
- "Mob" is not a direct equivalent of "народ" (the people), which is neutral; "mob" is negative/casual.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mob' in formal writing for a neutral group (use 'crowd' or 'group').
- Capitalising incorrectly: 'the Mob' refers specifically to the Mafia; 'a mob' is any riotous crowd.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mob' used in a primarily NEUTRAL or humorous way?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but not always. Its core meaning of a disorderly crowd is negative. However, its informal use as a collective ("the office mob") is neutral or humorous. The criminal sense is negative.
A 'crowd' is neutral, simply a large group. A 'mob' implies disorder, agitation, and potential violence. A 'gang' is a organised group, often for criminal purposes, but can be smaller and more structured than a mob.
Yes. 'To mob someone' means for a crowd to gather closely and aggressively or enthusiastically around them (e.g., fans mobbing a celebrity).
Capitalise 'Mob' only when it is a proper noun referring specifically to a named organised crime syndicate, most commonly the Italian-American Mafia (e.g., "He was investigated by the Mob"). Use lowercase for general crowds or criminal groups.