Cluster — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklə-stər/ clus·ter

Meaning & Definition of Cluster

Cluster (noun)

  1. a number of similar things that occur together
  2. two or more consecutive consonants or vowels in a segment of speech
  3. a group of buildings and especially houses built close together on a sizable tract in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual yard for common recreation

Cluster (verb)

  1. to collect into a cluster
  2. to furnish with clusters
  3. to grow, assemble, or occur in a cluster

Cluster (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a number of things considered as a unit

    "a cluster of stars in the southern sky"

    similar: array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clot, clump, clutch, collection, constellation, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, package, parcel, passel, set, suite, the whole kit and caboodle
    related: accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomeration, agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety, cycle, run, series, suit
    near: entity, item, single, unit

  2. a usually small number of persons considered as a unit

    "a small cluster of reporters waited by the courthouse door"

    similar: array, band, batch, battery, body, boodle, bunch, clutch, consort, constellation, crop, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, parcel, party, passel, the whole kit and caboodle
    related: assembly, collective, congregation, gathering, muster, organization, circle, clan, clique, coterie, fellowship, gang, ring, round, set, faction, guild, order, school, sect, brigade, crew, outfit, phalanx, platoon, posse, task force, team, alliance, bloc, coalition, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union, battalion, squadron, bevy, brood, covey
    near: individual, single

Cluster (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come together into one body or place

    "the mice clustered together into a small burrow"

    similar: assemble, collect, concenter, concentrate, conglomerate, congregate, convene, converge, forgather, gather, meet, rendezvous, get together
    related: affiliate, ally, associate, band (together), caucus, club, collaborate, confederate, conjoin, consolidate, consort, cooperate, couple, federate, gang up, join, merge, unite, reassemble, reconvene, regather, remeet
    opposite: break up, disband, disperse, split (up)
    near: depart, leave, take off, disjoin, dissociate, disunite

  2. to gather into a closely packed group

    "all the cottages are clustered on one end of the lake"

    similar: bunch, crowd, huddle, pile, press
    related: assemble, collect, concenter, concentrate, conglomerate, congregate, convene, converge, flock, forgather, herd, swarm, throng, encircle, mob, surround, embrace, hug
    near: break up, disband, disperse, split (up)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cluster

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cluster:

array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clot, clump, clutch, collection, constellation, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, package, parcel, passel, set, suite, body, boodle, consort, crop, party, the whole kit and caboodle, assemble, collect, concenter, concentrate, conglomerate, congregate, convene, converge, forgather, gather

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cluster

Words with the opposite meaning of Cluster:

break up, disband, disperse, split (up)

Related Words for Cluster

accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomeration, agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety, cycle, run, series, suit, assembly, collective, congregation, gathering, organization, circle, clan, clique, coterie, fellowship, gang, ring, round

Near Antonyms of Cluster

entity, item, single, unit, individual, depart, leave, take off, disjoin, dissociate, disunite

Word Forms of Cluster

Inflections: clustered, clustering

Derived words: clustery (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Cluster

Middle English, from Old English clyster; akin to Old English clott clot

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cluster

Words & Phrases Containing Cluster

cluster analysis, cluster bomb, cluster headache, globular cluster, oak-leaf cluster, intercluster, subcluster

Frequently Asked Questions about Cluster

What does "Cluster" mean?

"Cluster" means a number of similar things that occur together. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a number of similar things that occur together. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cluster"?

Other words for "Cluster" include array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block and bunch. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cluster" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cluster"?

There are 132 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cluster". Common alternatives include array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, block, bunch, clot and clump.

What is the opposite of "Cluster"?

Antonyms of "Cluster" include break up, disband, disperse and split (up). Near antonyms include entity, item, single and unit.

How do you use "Cluster" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cluster" in a sentence: "a cluster of stars in the southern sky"; "a small cluster of reporters waited by the courthouse door"; "the mice clustered together into a small burrow".

Is "Cluster" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cluster" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Cluster" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Cluster" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cluster"?

"Cluster" is pronounced /ˈklə-stər/ and divided into syllables as clus·ter.