tribe
B2Neutral; used in both formal (e.g., academic) and informal contexts, with careful usage due to potential colonial connotations.
Definition
Meaning
A social group consisting of families or communities linked by shared ancestry, culture, and leadership, often in traditional or indigenous societies.
Extended to refer to any group of people with a strong common identity, interest, or loyalty, such as in online communities, subcultures, or close-knit teams.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies kinship, cultural distinctness, and often tradition; can carry positive (community) or negative (primitive) connotations depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely similar; in British English, it may be more associated with historical or anthropological contexts, while American English also uses it in contemporary social discussions.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations range from positive (belonging, heritage) to negative (outdated, simplistic), influenced by context.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[tribe] of [people][member] of [a tribe][belong] to [a tribe]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the tribe has spoken”
- “lost tribe”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorically used to describe corporate teams or departments with a strong internal culture and loyalty.
Academic
A key term in anthropology and sociology for analyzing social structures and cultural identities.
Everyday
Casually refers to groups of friends, families, or people with shared hobbies or beliefs.
Technical
In biology, a taxonomic rank above genus but below family; in law, refers to legally recognized indigenous groups.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The villagers decided to tribe together for mutual support.
American English
- They tribed up to advocate for their rights.
adverb
British English
- The land is divided tribally among the families.
American English
- They organize themselves tribally rather than by age.
adjective
British English
- The tribal elders discussed the community's future.
American English
- She wore a tribal pattern scarf to the event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My uncle visited a tribe in the Amazon rainforest.
- The tribe celebrates its heritage with an annual festival.
- Anthropologists have documented how tribes adapt to environmental changes.
- The term 'tribe' is often debated in postcolonial studies for its historical baggage.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tribe' rhyming with 'bribe'—but a tribe is a group you belong to, not something you offer.
Conceptual Metaphor
GROUPS ARE TRIBES, implying closeness, shared identity, and traditional bonds.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'трибуна' (tribune) meaning platform or stand; correct translation is 'племя'. Note that 'tribe' can have broader usage than 'племя' in some contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tribe' to refer to modern nation-states inappropriately; misusing 'tribe' as a verb in non-standard ways.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'tribe' in a social context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it originates from such contexts, it is now extended to describe any close-knit group with a strong common identity, like online communities or fan bases.
'Clan' typically refers to a group based on direct kinship or lineage, while 'tribe' is broader and can encompass multiple clans with shared culture and territory.
In both British and American English, it is pronounced /traɪb/, with a long 'i' sound as in 'price'.
It is rare and often considered non-standard; the verb form 'to tribe' means to form or organize into tribes, but 'tribalize' is more common in formal contexts.
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