Explanation at your level:
An army is a group of soldiers. They protect a country. They wear uniforms and follow rules. You can also have an army of people doing a big job together.
The army is a large group of people trained for war. They work on land. We also use the word for large groups of people, like an 'army of ants' in the garden.
An army is the land-based military force of a country. It is highly organized. We also use it figuratively to describe a vast number of people or things, like an 'army of supporters' at a stadium.
The term army refers to a structured military entity. Beyond its literal meaning, it is frequently used in journalism and literature to emphasize the scale and collective purpose of a large group, such as an 'army of critics' or an 'army of protesters'.
While army primarily denotes a state's land forces, its usage extends into the socio-political sphere. It describes entities characterized by mass mobilization and strict hierarchical discipline. Its usage often implies a sense of overwhelming force or collective determination.
Etymologically rooted in the Latin armata, the army represents the institutionalization of violence. In contemporary discourse, it serves as a powerful metaphor for any large-scale, coordinated effort. It carries connotations of uniformity, obedience, and strategic alignment, whether in military or civilian contexts.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A large military group.
- Land-based defense.
- Metaphor for large groups.
- Plural is armies.
When you hear the word army, you probably think of soldiers in uniform. That is the most common meaning! An army is a highly organized group of people trained to protect a country on land.
However, English is flexible. We often use army to talk about non-military groups too. If you see a massive group of people working hard to clean up a park, you might say there is an army of volunteers. It implies size, discipline, and a shared mission.
The word army has a long journey through history. It comes from the Old French word armée, which itself comes from the Latin armata, meaning 'armed'.
Originally, it referred to an 'armed force'. Over time, it evolved from just describing the act of being armed to naming the entire organization itself. It is fascinating how a word that started as a description of equipment became the name for the institution of soldiers we know today.
In casual conversation, you will hear people say 'join the army' or 'the army is on the move'. These are very standard uses.
When using it metaphorically, we often use the pattern 'an army of [noun]'. For example, an 'army of ants' or an 'army of fans'. This shows that the group is very large and perhaps a bit overwhelming!
1. An army marches on its stomach: This means soldiers need to be fed well to fight well. 2. One-man army: Someone who does the work of many people alone. 3. Army brat: A child of a career military person. 4. The army of the unemployed: A term for a large group of people without jobs. 5. To enlist in the army: To officially sign up for service.
The plural of army is armies. Remember to change the 'y' to 'ies'. Pronunciation is /ˈɑːrmi/ in both British and American English. The stress is on the first syllable: AR-my.
It is a countable noun, so you can have 'one army' or 'many armies'.
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'arm' (the body part) because you need arms to hold weapons!
Pronunciation Guide
ar-mee
ar-mee
Common Errors
- pronouncing the r too strongly
- stressing the second syllable
- forgetting the plural ies
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Pluralization of Y
army -> armies
Examples by Level
The army is big.
army = group of soldiers
singular verb
The army protects us.
The army has many men.
Look at the army.
The army is strong.
He joined the army.
The army is here.
I see the army.
The army arrived today.
She serves in the army.
The army moved quickly.
He left the army.
An army of ants is near.
The army built a bridge.
Training for the army is hard.
The army helped the town.
The army was deployed to the border.
He spent ten years in the army.
An army of volunteers cleaned the beach.
The army is prepared for any situation.
She is a captain in the army.
The army provides food for the village.
The army conducted a drill.
He retired from the army.
The government mobilized the army to assist with the flood relief.
An army of lobbyists descended upon the capital.
The army maintains strict discipline among its ranks.
She was recruited into the army right after college.
The army's role in politics is a sensitive topic.
He felt like a one-man army trying to finish the project.
The army secured the perimeter.
The army is a symbol of national pride.
The army of protesters marched through the city streets.
The army has been instrumental in the country's defense strategy.
His relentless work ethic made him a one-man army in the office.
The army's logistical capabilities are unmatched.
They faced an army of obstacles during the research phase.
The army was ordered to maintain order in the region.
She studied the history of the imperial army.
The army represents the pinnacle of organizational structure.
The army of bureaucrats stifled all innovation.
The army serves as the backbone of the nation's security apparatus.
He commanded an army of coders to build the software.
The army's presence was a deterrent to potential invaders.
An army of shadows moved through the valley.
The army is often a reflection of the society it serves.
They faced an army of critics after the play.
The army's discipline is legendary.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"one-man army"
someone who works alone as effectively as a whole group
He was a one-man army at the fundraiser.
casual""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
both are military
army is land, navy is sea
The army fights on land; the navy fights at sea.
Sentence Patterns
The army + verb
The army moved.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
y changes to ies
Tips
Rhyme Time
Think of 'army' and 'barmy' to remember the sound.
Metaphor usage
Use 'army of' to emphasize size.
Respect
Be careful when discussing military topics.
Plural rule
Y to IES.
Clear R
Don't drop the R.
Spelling
Avoid armys.
Latin root
It means armed.
Flashcards
Use pictures of soldiers.
Context
Check if military or civilian.
Article use
Always use 'the' or 'an'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
ARM + Y: You need ARMS to be in the armY.
Visual Association
A long line of soldiers marching.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence using 'army of' for something non-military.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: armed force
Cultural Context
Military terminology can be sensitive in regions of conflict.
The word is often used with pride in patriotic contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
military service
- enlist in the army
- army training
- serve in the army
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever known someone in the army?"
"What do you think of the army's role?"
"Can you name an army of something?"
"Is the army important for a country?"
"What would you do in an army?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you saw a large group of people.
What does discipline mean to you?
Write a story about a soldier.
How would you organize an army of volunteers?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it can be a metaphor for any large group.
Test Yourself
The ___ protects the country.
The army is the group that protects.
What is the plural of army?
Y becomes IES.
An army can only be military.
It can be used metaphorically.
Word
Meaning
Basic matching.
Correct structure.
Score: /5
Summary
An army is a large group of people, either for land warfare or as a metaphor for a massive, disciplined collective effort.
- A large military group.
- Land-based defense.
- Metaphor for large groups.
- Plural is armies.
Rhyme Time
Think of 'army' and 'barmy' to remember the sound.
Metaphor usage
Use 'army of' to emphasize size.
Respect
Be careful when discussing military topics.
Plural rule
Y to IES.
Example
After finishing college, he spent two years serving in the army.
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Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
More Military words
ultramobacy
C1To engage in the extreme or rapid mobilization of individuals or resources, typically surpassing conventional limits of organization or movement. It is used to describe the act of hyper-activating a group or system for a specific, often urgent, purpose.
brigade
C1To organize, group, or unite people into a brigade or similar structured units, often for military service or a specific organized task. In an academic or formal context, it refers to the systematic arrangement of individuals or smaller groups to act as a single, cohesive entity.
excadery
C1A collective term referring to a body or association of former cadets or graduates from a military academy. It encompasses both the group of individuals and the status of having successfully completed such rigorous training.
silos
B1Silos are tall towers used on farms to store grain or animal feed. In a business context, the term refers to isolated departments or systems that do not share information effectively with other parts of the organization.
brigadier
B2A high-ranking military officer who typically commands a brigade of soldiers. This rank sits above a colonel and below a major general in various national armies, representing a significant level of leadership and strategic responsibility.
quartermaster
C1A quartermaster is a military officer responsible for providing soldiers with food, clothing, equipment, and living quarters. In a nautical context, it refers to a petty officer in charge of steering the ship and maintaining its navigation signals.
war
A2A state of armed conflict between different nations, states, or groups within a country. It involves organized military forces and often lasts for a long period of time.
bombing
B2Describes something relating to the act of dropping bombs or an attack involving explosives. In a metaphorical sense, especially in informal contexts, it can also describe something that is failing significantly or performing very poorly.
warheads
B2The front part of a missile, rocket, or torpedo that contains the explosive charge or other payload. It is the component designed to cause damage or achieve a specific effect upon reaching its target.
ammunition
B2Ammunition refers to projectiles (like bullets or shells) fired from weapons. Figuratively, it describes information, facts, or evidence that can be used to support an argument or to criticize an opponent.
