What does mob mean?
The noun mob most commonly denotes a large, disorderly crowd, especially one behaving threateningly or violently. It can also refer to an organized criminal group and, more generally, to a great mass of people or animals. In the established verbal use, to mob someone means to surround them, crowd them, or participate in a group attack; the verb has also become common for coordinated online harassment. Mob usually carries a negative or potentially derogatory tone: it suggests both anonymity in numbers and behavior that may be difficult to control. Nevertheless, “a mob of” remains a vivid way to describe a large gathering, as in “a mob of photographers.” The word is especially associated with public disorder, criminal organizations, and collective action, so it is useful when the identity of individuals matters less than the force of the group. Its standard plural is mobs.
A large, usually disorderly crowd; an organized group engaged in criminal activity; or, more generally, a large group of people or animals.
"A mob gathered outside the courthouse, and police struggled to control the crowd."
The word is often derogatory when describing an angry or violent crowd. It can also mean a criminal organization, as in “organized mob.”
To surround, crowd around, or attack someone as a group, especially in a threatening or harassing way.
"Photographers mobbed the prime minister as she left the meeting."
The verb is also used for coordinated online harassment: “The account was mobbed by users posting thousands of replies.”
The standard plural of the noun; it can refer to separate crowds or groups or to multiple criminal organizations.
"Separate mobs formed outside several government buildings."
From angry crowds to coordinated online pile-ons, mob names the moment a group turns its numbers into pressure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mob
The word is recorded from the late sixteenth century in the sense of a “crowd” or “throng.” Its relationship with mobile has traditionally been explained as a shortening, although the precise historical development is uncertain. Mobile ultimately comes from Latin mobilis, meaning “movable” or “easily moved,” and belongs to a wider family including mobility, automobile, and demobilize.
Related word forms
How mob is actually used
Mob is often informal or derogatory when describing a disorderly crowd, and it can imply anonymity or collective aggression. In the criminal sense, it denotes an organized group involved in illicit activity. The verb is now also commonly used for coordinated online harassment.
Easily confused with mob
A mob is a group of people, whereas a mop is an implement for cleaning floors or other surfaces.