group

Several people or things that are together or connected in some way.

• A group of friends came over.
• We divided the class into three groups.
• Which group do you belong to?

How to use it: a group of someone/something (A group of children waited outside.)

Similar words: set, collection

Common phrases: group of people, a small group, join a group, group of houses

A set of atoms in a molecule that gives it particular chemical properties.

• This molecule contains a hydroxyl group.
• The two groups react differently with water.
• Adding a methyl group changed the chemical properties.

Similar words: functional group

Common phrases: functional group, hydroxyl group, methyl group

To put people or things together according to a shared feature or purpose.

• Group the toys by colour.
• The teacher grouped the children into teams.
• These plants are usually grouped together.

How to use it: group someone/something by something (Group the books by subject.); group someone/something into something (The teacher grouped us into pairs.); group someone/something together (Group similar items together.)

Similar words: arrange, classify, sort

Opposites: separate

Common phrases: group things together, group by size, group someone with someone