bunch

A group of things growing close together or held together.

• She bought a bunch of bananas.
• There are two bunches of grapes left.
• He dropped his bunch of keys.

How to use it: a bunch of something (He carried a bunch of red flowers.)

Similar words: cluster, bundle

Common phrases: bunch of grapes, bunch of flowers, bunch of keys

A large number of people or things.

• I bought a bunch of books.
• A whole bunch of people called today.
• We tried a bunch of times.

How to use it: a bunch of plural noun (A bunch of students came early.)

Similar words: lots, a lot

Common phrases: a bunch of, whole bunch, bunch of people, bunch of trouble

A group of friends or people who spend time together.

• They are a friendly bunch.
• She still meets the same bunch every Friday.
• What a lively bunch you all are!

Similar words: group, crowd, gang

Common phrases: friendly bunch, same bunch, lively bunch

To bring things together into a close group, or to move close together.

• Bunch the flowers together.
• The runners bunched up near the finish.
• My shirt keeps bunching under this jacket.

How to use it: bunch something together (Bunch the stems together and tie them.); bunch up (The fabric bunches up around my waist.)

Similar words: gather, cluster

Opposites: spread

Common phrases: bunch together, bunch up, bunch the flowers