tribe

tribe — noun

1. people who are connected by family ties, a shared language, and common tradition

1.nounB1
Definition

people who are connected by family ties, a shared language, and common traditions, often living together in areas outside of large towns

Example

The Maasai tribe has lived in the grasslands of East Africa for centuries.

Niran studied how the tribe passes its stories from one generation to the next.

collocation: pass down stories / traditions

Common collocations
  • tribal chief
  • tribal customs
  • tribal land
  • tribe member
Synonyms
  • community

    wider term; does not necessarily imply shared ancestry

  • clan

    usually smaller than a tribe and based on direct family lines

  • people

    broader term for an ethnic or cultural group; often preferred in formal contexts

Grammar Patterns

tribe of + plural noun

the + tribe

Usage Note

Many Indigenous groups now prefer the terms 'nation' or 'community' because 'tribe' can carry outdated or colonial associations. When writing about a specific group, check what that group calls itself.

Common Mistakes

The tribe they live in a village.
The tribe lives in a village.
'tribe' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb.

2. a circle of people connected to a person through family ties, friendship, or com

2.nounB1
Definition

a circle of people connected to a person through family ties, friendship, or common interests — used in an affectionate and informal way

Example

Every Sunday the whole tribe gathers at Grandmother's house for a meal.

informal use: whole tribe = whole family

Beatrix invited her entire tribe of friends to celebrate her promotion.

Common collocations
  • whole tribe
  • tribe of friends
Synonyms
  • clan

    also informal; can imply a large extended family

  • circle

    more neutral in tone; less affectionate

Antonyms
  • stranger

    someone outside the close group

  • outsider

    someone not part of the community

Grammar Patterns

possessive + tribe

whole + tribe

Usage Note

This sense is always informal and carries a warm, positive tone. It is not used for formal or professional groups.

Common Mistakes

Let me introduce you to my tribe of co-workers at the conference.
Let me introduce you to my group of co-workers at the conference.
'tribe' in this sense is reserved for close personal circles, not professional acquaintances.

Word family

  • tribal
    adjectiveB1
  • tribalism
    nounC1
  • tribesman
    nounB2
  • tribeswoman
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe groups of humans, but they differ in scale and focus. 'Community' is the broadest term — it refers to any group living in the same area or sharing common interests, without necessarily implying shared ancestry. 'Clan' is smaller than a tribe and is built around direct family descent. 'People' (as in 'the Indigenous peoples of Canada') is a formal, respectful term for an ethnic or cultural group, often preferred over 'tribe' in official contexts. 'Nation' is increasingly used by Indigenous groups (e.g. the Navajo Nation) to emphasise sovereignty and political identity. For example: the Hopi people live in Arizona; within that nation, individual clans trace their lineage through the mother's side. The local farming community includes both Hopi and non-Hopi residents.

community ↗clan ↗people ↗nation ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • tribe member
  • tribe leader

Phrases

  • belong to a tribe
  • the whole tribe
  • a tribe of

Prepositions

  • tribe of
  • tribe in

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'tribe' comes from the Latin 'tribus', which originally referred to the three main divisions of the Roman people. It entered English through French 'tribu' in the 1500s. Over time, its meaning expanded from ancient Roman political divisions to any group of people sharing ancestry, language, and culture.