Explanation at your level:
A gregarious person likes to be with friends. If you are gregarious, you do not like to be alone. You like to talk and play with other people. It is a good word for someone who is very friendly.
If someone is gregarious, they are very outgoing. They enjoy parties and meeting new people. They are the opposite of shy. Animals can be gregarious too, like birds that fly in big groups.
Being gregarious means you have a natural love for social interaction. A gregarious person finds it easy to start conversations. In nature, we call animals gregarious if they live in herds or packs to stay safe.
The term gregarious implies a high level of sociability. It is often used to describe someone who is charming and enjoys being the center of attention. Unlike 'outgoing,' which is very common, gregarious adds a touch of sophistication to your description.
In advanced English, gregarious is used to describe an individual who exhibits a strong preference for communal environments. It can also appear in academic texts regarding animal behavior, specifically focusing on species that demonstrate high social cohesion.
At the mastery level, gregarious carries nuances of both temperament and biological instinct. It is a precise descriptor in literary contexts to denote a character's inherent need for human contact. Its etymological connection to the Latin grex provides a deeper understanding of the collective nature implied by the word.
30秒词汇
- Means sociable or fond of company.
- Used for both people and animals.
- Comes from the Latin word for flock.
- An adjective that describes personality.
Have you ever met someone who is the life of the party? That person is likely gregarious! This word describes someone who is naturally outgoing and loves being around people.
Being gregarious isn't just about being loud; it's about finding energy and joy in social connections. Whether it's chatting in a classroom or hosting a big dinner, a gregarious person thrives in a crowd.
In the world of science, we also use this word for animals. If you see birds flying in a massive flock or sheep huddling together, those animals are acting in a gregarious way. They prefer the safety and company of their group over being solitary.
The word gregarious comes from the Latin word gregarius, which means 'pertaining to a flock.' This root word comes from grex, meaning 'flock' or 'herd.'
It is fascinating to see how the meaning shifted over time. Originally, it was used primarily to describe animals that moved in herds. By the 17th century, English speakers started applying it to humans who 'flocked' together in social settings.
You can find this same root in other words, too! Think of the word congregate (to gather together) or segregate (to set apart from the flock). It’s a great example of how Latin roots help us understand modern English vocabulary.
You will most often hear gregarious used to describe a person's personality. It is a positive, slightly formal word that sounds sophisticated in conversation.
Commonly, people say 'a gregarious personality' or 'a gregarious nature.' You might also hear it used in professional settings, such as describing a salesperson who is 'naturally gregarious with clients.'
While it is common in writing, it is slightly less frequent in casual, everyday slang. If you are talking to a close friend, you might just say 'outgoing,' but if you want to sound more descriptive, gregarious is the perfect choice.
While gregarious doesn't have its own specific idiom, it fits perfectly with many social expressions. Here are a few:
- Life of the party: Someone who is very gregarious and fun at social events.
- Social butterfly: A person who flits from group to group, showing their gregarious side.
- The more the merrier: A phrase often used by gregarious people to invite more friends.
- A people person: Someone who is naturally gregarious and enjoys human interaction.
- Hail-fellow-well-met: An old-fashioned way to describe a very friendly, gregarious person.
Gregarious is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun (e.g., 'a gregarious student') or after a linking verb (e.g., 'she is very gregarious').
Pronunciation can be tricky! It is pronounced gruh-GAIR-ee-us. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like various and precarious.
Remember, it is an adjective, so it doesn't have a plural form. You can modify it with adverbs like 'highly' or 'naturally' to add emphasis to how social someone is.
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'congregate'.
Pronunciation Guide
GRIH-gair-ee-us
gruh-GAIR-ee-us
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'g' sounds
- Skipping the 'ee' sound
- Putting stress on the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
高级
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
A gregarious person.
Linking verbs
He is gregarious.
Adverb modification
Highly gregarious.
Examples by Level
He is a gregarious boy.
He likes friends.
Adjective usage.
The bird is gregarious.
The bird likes the flock.
Animal context.
She is very gregarious.
She is friendly.
Linking verb.
We are gregarious people.
We like groups.
Plural noun.
Are you gregarious?
Do you like groups?
Interrogative.
They are gregarious animals.
They live together.
Noun modification.
I am not gregarious.
I like being alone.
Negative.
Be gregarious today!
Talk to people.
Imperative.
She is a gregarious person who loves parties.
The gregarious puppy played with all the other dogs.
He has a gregarious nature that makes everyone smile.
Many gregarious birds migrate in large groups.
She felt less gregarious after a long day at work.
The teacher is very gregarious with her students.
Are you feeling gregarious tonight?
He is known for his gregarious personality.
Her gregarious attitude made her the perfect host for the event.
Some animals become more gregarious during the breeding season.
He is a gregarious individual who never turns down an invitation.
The company is looking for a gregarious person for the sales team.
Despite being tired, he remained gregarious throughout the dinner.
Gregarious species often have complex communication systems.
She possesses a gregarious charm that draws people to her.
Being gregarious is a great asset in the hospitality industry.
His gregarious nature ensures he is never short of company.
The study examines the gregarious habits of these primates.
She is a gregarious soul, always eager to connect with others.
Their gregarious behavior is a defense mechanism against predators.
He struggled to maintain his gregarious persona in such a quiet environment.
The club attracts gregarious people who love to network.
It is rare to see such a gregarious animal living in isolation.
Her gregarious spirit turned the dull meeting into an engaging discussion.
The candidate demonstrated a gregarious demeanor during the interview.
Biologists noted the gregarious tendencies of the herd in the savanna.
His gregarious lifestyle often left him with little time for solitude.
The novel depicts a gregarious protagonist who fears being alone.
Gregarious instincts are often essential for survival in harsh climates.
She navigated the crowded room with a gregarious ease.
The professor's gregarious style made his lectures highly interactive.
Social media has enabled even the most gregarious people to connect globally.
The gregarious nature of the species is central to their social structure.
His gregariousness was both a gift and a burden in his later years.
The author captures the gregarious essence of the bustling marketplace.
Such gregarious behavior is indicative of a highly evolved social system.
Her gregarious disposition was a stark contrast to her sister's reserve.
The group's gregarious interactions fostered a sense of belonging.
He was a gregarious intellectual who thrived in debate.
The evolution of gregarious behavior remains a topic of intense study.
常见搭配
Idioms & Expressions
"Life of the party"
Someone very social.
He is the life of the party.
casual"Social butterfly"
Someone who moves between groups.
She is a real social butterfly.
casual"A people person"
Someone who enjoys others.
He is a real people person.
neutral"The more the merrier"
More people make it better.
Come along, the more the merrier!
casual"Hail-fellow-well-met"
Very friendly/gregarious.
He is a hail-fellow-well-met type.
formal"Join the fray"
To enter a social group.
He joined the fray at the party.
casualEasily Confused
Similar sound
Aggressive means hostile; gregarious means friendly.
He is gregarious, not aggressive.
Same root
Congregate is a verb; gregarious is an adjective.
They congregate because they are gregarious.
Similar spelling
Gregorian relates to the calendar.
The Gregorian calendar is old.
Similar sound
Garrulous means talkative; gregarious means social.
He is gregarious and garrulous.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + gregarious
He is gregarious.
A + gregarious + noun
A gregarious person.
Subject + is + highly + gregarious
She is highly gregarious.
Because + subject + is + gregarious
Because he is gregarious, he has many friends.
The + gregarious + nature + of + noun
The gregarious nature of the herd.
词族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
相关
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
常见错误
It describes a noun, it is not an action.
They sound similar but mean different things.
Objects cannot be social.
Check the spelling of the 'g's.
Cannot say 'he is a gregarious'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine Greg the goose in a crowd.
When Native Speakers Use It
In personality descriptions.
Cultural Insight
It is a compliment.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin word for flock.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence today.
Word Web
Connect to 'congregate'.
Writing Tip
Use it to describe characters.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
GREG is a GREGarious guy.
Visual Association
A flock of birds gathering.
Word Web
挑战
Describe three people you know using this word.
词源
Latin
Original meaning: Pertaining to a flock
文化背景
None
Commonly used in professional and academic settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- gregarious student
- gregarious classmate
- gregarious group
at work
- gregarious colleague
- gregarious manager
- gregarious sales team
in biology
- gregarious animals
- gregarious species
- gregarious behavior
at parties
- gregarious guest
- gregarious host
- gregarious crowd
Conversation Starters
"Are you a gregarious person?"
"Do you know any gregarious animals?"
"Is it better to be gregarious or solitary?"
"How does a gregarious person act at a party?"
"Do you think gregarious people are happier?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a gregarious person you know.
Write about a time you felt gregarious.
Why do some animals live in gregarious groups?
Compare being gregarious to being introverted.
常见问题
8 个问题Usually, yes, as it implies sociability.
No, it is the opposite.
It is used, but 'outgoing' is more common.
No, though 'congregate' is used in church settings.
Yes, it is very common in biology.
Rarely, unless someone is too social.
G-R-E-G-A-R-I-O-U-S.
It is considered advanced vocabulary.
自我测试
He is a ___ person who likes friends.
Gregarious means friendly.
Which means social?
Gregarious means social.
Animals can be gregarious.
Yes, it refers to flocking animals.
Word
意思
Synonyms match.
He is very gregarious.
The ___ birds flew together.
Gregarious describes the flocking behavior.
Which is an antonym?
Reclusive is the opposite.
Gregarious comes from the Latin word for herd.
Grex means herd.
His ___ nature was evident.
Gregarious fits the context.
What is the noun form?
Gregariousness is the noun.
得分： /10
Summary
A gregarious person is a social butterfly who loves being part of the flock!
- Means sociable or fond of company.
- Used for both people and animals.
- Comes from the Latin word for flock.
- An adjective that describes personality.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine Greg the goose in a crowd.
When Native Speakers Use It
In personality descriptions.
Cultural Insight
It is a compliment.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective.
例句
She is a gregarious person who loves hosting large dinner parties for her friends.
Related Content
更多Social词汇
abanthropate
C1Describes a state of being removed from, or having lost, the essential qualities and characteristics of humanity. It is often used in philosophical or literary contexts to describe a person or entity that has transcended or been alienated from the human condition.
abhospence
C1A rare or formal term describing the state or act of lacking hospitality, or the deliberate withdrawal of a welcoming attitude towards guests or outsiders. It refers to a cold, inhospitable atmosphere or a specific instance where a host fails to provide expected comforts or kindness.
abjudtude
C1The state or quality of being formally rejected, cast off, or disowned through an authoritative or judicial decision. It refers to a condition of absolute renunciation where a person or entity is stripped of their previous status or rights.
abphobship
C1A formal adjective describing a systemic and deep-seated aversion to institutional hierarchies or organized authority figures. It is frequently applied in sociological and organizational contexts to describe individuals or movements that intentionally distance themselves from formal power structures.
abstinence
B2指自愿克制某种欲望，通常指戒酒、戒食或禁欲，是一种自觉的选择。
abtactship
C1指没有物理接触或无法触及的状态。常用来描述非物质或非身体的关系。
abtrudship
C1To forcefully impose one's leadership, authority, or specific set of rules onto a group without their consent or prior consultation. It describes the act of thrusting a structured way of doing things upon others in a dominant or intrusive manner.
abvictious
C1To strategically yield or concede a minor position or advantage in order to ensure a greater ultimate victory. It describes a sophisticated form of success achieved through intentional, calculated loss or withdrawal.
abvolism
C1为了获得完全的个人自主权而故意疏远社会规范的行为。
acceptance
B2Acceptance is the act of agreeing to an offer, plan, or invitation, or the process of being received into a group or society. It also refers to the willingness to tolerate a difficult situation or the state of being approved by others.
