Collective Noun of Thieves: Meaning, Origin, Example Sentences, Synonyms and Quiz

The collective noun of thieves is a gang, which refers to an organised group of criminals. Furthermore, a few of the synonyms of ‘gang’ are crowd and flock in English Grammar. Read on to learn more about the collective noun for thieves, its meaning and origin, synonyms, examples of sentences with the usage of gang and a quick quiz to check how much you have learnt.    

What is the Collective Noun of Thieves? – Meaning

There are other collective nouns for thieves besides ‘gang,’ which are pack, den, skulk, crew and rookery. A ‘pack of thieves’ communicates the idea of a coordinated group, similar to a pack of wolves. Furthermore, a ‘den of thieves’ evokes imagery of a hidden lair where thieves gather and store stolen goods. Moreover, a ‘skulk of thieves’ depicts stealth and secrecy, usually associated with sneaky or furtive behaviour.

In addition, a ‘crew of thieves’ indicates a team-like organisation associated with high-stakes heists. A ‘rookery of thieves’ refers to a densely populated area associated with criminal activities.

Also Read: Collective Noun for Class 3

Origins of the Collective Nouns of Thieves

When it comes to the origin of the word “gang,” it originates from the Old English word “gan,” meaning “to go.” It is related to the Old Norse “gangr,” which means “journey” or “way.” Over time, the term evolved to mean a group of people who associate closely with illicit purposes, such as committing theft or other crimes. 

• The term “den” originates from the Old English word “denn,” which describes the lair or shelter of a wild animal, which is a hidden or secretive place. The phrase is linked to biblical references, specifically where Jesus described the temple as a “den of robbers,” meaning a place corrupted by dishonest activities.

• Another collective noun of thieves, “skulk” has its origins in Scandinavian languages, with similar words meaning “to lurk” or “to shirk” found in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish. In Middle English, “skulk” was used to describe the act of moving stealthily or lying in hiding. 

• The word “crew” originates from the Middle English term “crewe,” which initially refers to a group of people working together on a ship.

• The term “rookery” originally meant a colony of rooks, which is a type of bird. However, it later evolved to describe densely populated slum areas wherein criminal activity took place. 

Also Read: Examples of Collective Nouns

Synonyms of the Collective Noun of Thieves

After learning about the meaning and origin of the collective noun for thieves, here are a few synonyms of Gang that you may use in place of the word in different contexts.

Noun	Collective Noun	Example
Thieves	Gang	A gang of thieves robbed the bank.
Thieves	Pack	A pack of thieves ransacked the neighbourhood.
Thieves	Den	A den of thieves operated out of the abandoned warehouse.
Thieves	Skulk	A skulk of thieves slipped through the shadows unnoticed.
Thieves	Crew	The crew of thieves carefully planned their heist.
Thieves	Rookery	The rookery of thieves thrived in the slums of the city.

Also Read: Synonyms of Brave

Quiz on Collective Nouns for Thieves

Now that you have gone through all the aforementioned information related to the collective noun of thieves, here is a quick quiz to know how much you have understood! 

Q1. Which collective noun is NOT appropriate for describing thieves?

a) Gang
b) Horde
c) Pack
d) School

Q2. Which of the following is the most appropriate collective noun for “thieves”?

a) Litter
b) Cluster
c) Gang
d) Colony

Q3. Which of the following is NOT a collective noun for thieves?

a) Gang
b) Band
c) Swarm
d) Pack

Q4. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

a) A gang of thieves were found guilty.
b) A gang of thieves was found guilty.
c) The gang of thieves were found guilty.
d) The gangs of thieves were found guilty.

Here are your answers! 

1. d) School
2. c) Gang
3. c) Swarm
4. b) A gang of thieves was found guilty.

Additional Practice Exercise: Collective Noun of Thieves

Fill in the blanks:

1. A __________ of thieves broke into the house at midnight.
2. The police were searching for a dangerous __________ of thieves.
3. A __________ of thieves was seen near the market area.
4. The __________ of thieves planned the robbery carefully.
5. A __________ of thieves escaped before help arrived.
6. A __________ of thieves was hiding in the abandoned house.
7. The villagers reported a __________ of thieves to the police.
8. A __________ of thieves planned their escape carefully.
9. The police caught the __________ of thieves early in the morning.
10. A dangerous __________ of thieves was active in the city.

Answers:

1. gang
2. gang
3. gang
4. gang
5. gang
6. gang
7. gang
8. gang
9. gang
10. gang

Also Read: Synonyms of Unnecessary

The correct and most commonly used collective noun of thieves is “a gang of thieves.” Learning such grammar basics helps students build strong foundations in English and perform better in exams and real-life communication.

If you are preparing for school exams, competitive tests, or simply want to improve your grammar, mastering collective nouns like this is a smart step forward.

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This was all about the ‘collective noun of thieves’. Hopefully, you understood the concept and where it’s used. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.