B2noun 2K

Tribe

🇬🇧 UK /["/traɪb/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/traɪb/"]/

Meaning of Tribe

a social group in a traditional society consisting of people with the same language, culture, religion, etc., living in a particular area and often having one leader known as a chief

In simple words: A group of people who live together and share the same culture.

Tribe in a sentence

• They were a nomadic horse-riding tribe.
• The dancers are all members of the Tembu tribe.
• They recruited the toughest soldiers from the desert tribes.
• We spoke to Umbara, the headman of the Ywin tribe.
• He had a sudden outburst against the whole tribe of actors.
• a tribe of cats
• One or two of the grandchildren will be there, but not the whole tribe.

How to use Tribe

Often used in social sciences and anthropology. Avoid using it in a pejorative or dismissive context. In modern usage, it can also refer to close-knit groups, like friends or colleagues.

Grammar pattern

tribe + noun (e.g. tribe of warriors)

Memory hint

Think of 'tribe' as 'try-b' — 'try' to bond with your 'b'rothers.

Related words

Collocations with Tribe

• aboriginal
• indigenous
• native
• belong to
• a member of a tribe

Synonyms for Tribe

• clan
• community
• society
• group
• band

Opposites of Tribe

• individual
• loner

Common mistakes with Tribe

• Confused with 'clan' – a clan can be smaller or more specific than a tribe.
• Using it to describe unrelated groups – 'tribe' usually implies a shared culture or background.
• Mixing up singular and plural forms – the plural is 'tribes', not 'tribes'.

Frequently asked questions about Tribe

What does Tribe mean?

A group of people who live together and share the same culture.

What is the definition of Tribe?

a social group in a traditional society consisting of people with the same language, culture, religion, etc., living in a particular area and often having one leader known as a chief

How do you use Tribe in a sentence?

They were a nomadic horse-riding tribe.

Can you give another example of Tribe?

The dancers are all members of the Tembu tribe.

What are synonyms for Tribe?

Common alternatives include clan, community, society, group, band.

What is the opposite of Tribe?

Opposite meanings include individual, loner.

What words go with Tribe?

It commonly pairs with aboriginal, indigenous, native, belong to, a member of a tribe.

What are common mistakes when using Tribe?

Confused with 'clan' – a clan can be smaller or more specific than a tribe. Using it to describe unrelated groups – 'tribe' usually implies a shared culture or background. Mixing up singular and plural forms – the plural is 'tribes', not 'tribes'.

How do you pronounce Tribe?

US: /["/traɪb/"]/, UK: /["/traɪb/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Tribe?

Often used in social sciences and anthropology. Avoid using it in a pejorative or dismissive context. In modern usage, it can also refer to close-knit groups, like friends or colleagues.

What CEFR level is Tribe?

"Tribe" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.