bunch

1 of 2

noun

ˈbənch 

1

: protuberance, swelling

2

a

: a number of things of the same kind

a bunch of grapes

b

: group sense 2a

a bunch of friends

c

: a considerable amount : lot

a bunch of money

bunchily

ˈbən-chə-lē 

adverb

bunchy

ˈbən-chē 

adjective

bunch

2 of 2

verb

bunched; bunching; bunches

intransitive verb

1

: swell, protrude

2

: to form a group or cluster

—often used with up

transitive verb

: to form into a bunch

Synonyms

Noun

• body
• circle
• clan
• clique
• community
• coterie
• coven
• crowd
• fold
• galère
• gang
• klatch
• klatsch
• lot
• network
• pack
• ring
• set

Verb

• bag
• balloon
• beetle
• belly
• billow
• bulge
• jut
• overhang
• poke
• pooch [chiefly dialect]
• pouch
• pout
• project
• protrude
• stand out
• start
• stick out
• swell

Examples of bunch in a Sentence

Noun

He always had a bunch of keys on his belt.

Dried herbs hung in bunches from the kitchen rafters.

Verb

The child's tights bunched at the ankles.

the dress bunches a bit at the waist

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It’s tailored with a little bit of stretch and comes in a bunch of sophisticated hues, too — think apricot, olive, and soft lavender. —Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

However, Best Buy saw the largest gains out of the bunch, with its stock rising by 2.08 percent to $90. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Verb

This helps relax the fabric and keeps it from bunching up as much. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024

While optimizing a retirement account can optimize long-term savings, reviewing deductions for any that can be itemized and bunched can bring critical tax savings. —Perry Green, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bunche

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bunch

• thanks a bunch/lot/million
• the pick of the bunch

Kids Definition

bunch

1 of 2 noun

ˈbənch 

1

: a number of things of the same kind

a bunch of grapes

2

: group entry 1 sense 1, collection

a bunch of friends

3

: a large amount : lot

a bunch of money

bunchy

ˈbən-chē 

adjective

bunch

2 of 2 verb

: to gather in a bunch