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gregarious

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gregarious

Pronunciation

Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "gregarious" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:

  • gregarious (UK): /ɡɹɪˈɡɛə.ɹɪ.əs/ (4 syllables)

    • gri /ɡɹɪ/:

      • /ɡ/: voiced velar plosive (try saying "guh")

      • /ɹ/: alveolar approximant (similar to the "r" in "run")

      • /ɪ/: near-close front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")

    • GAIR /ɡɛə/:

      • /ɡ/: voiced velar plosive (try saying "guh")

      • /ɛə/: near-open central vowel (like the "a" in "care")

    • ee /ɹɪ/:

      • /ɹ/: alveolar approximant (similar to the "r" in "run")

      • /ɪ/: near-close front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")

    • uhs /əs/:

      • /ə/: schwa (a mid central vowel sound)

      • /s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (like the "s" in "sip")

Note: There's a slight variation in pronunciation between American and British English. Here's the American English version:

  • gregarious (US): /ɡɹɪˈɡɛɹ.i.əs/

    • The /ɛə/ sound in the second syllable becomes /ɛɹ/, which sounds like the "air" in "fair".

Word Form Variations

"Gregarious" itself is already the singular and plural form. It describes something or someone with a tendency to be social.

Here are some related word forms you might find useful:

  • Adverb: gregariously (describes how someone acts in a social way)

  • Noun: gregariousness (the quality of being social)

  • Non-gregarious: This is an antonym formed by adding the prefix "non-" to negate the meaning.

  • Non-gregariously: Adverb form of non-gregarious.

  • Non-gregariousness: Noun form of non-gregarious.

  • Ungregarious: This is another less common antonym with the prefix "un-".

  • Ungregariously: Adverb form of ungregarious.

  • Ungregariousness: Noun form of ungregarious.

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Adjective:

  • Definition: Fond of the company of others; sociable. (This is the most common definition)

    • Synonyms: outgoing, friendly, social, companionable, convivial, genial

    • Antonyms: introverted, solitary, reclusive, shy, withdrawn

  • Definition: (of animals) Living in groups or herds.

    • Synonyms: Herding, flocking, social (when referring to animals)

    • Antonyms: Solitary, territorial

Adverb (derived from the adjective):

  • Definition: In a social way; with others.

    • Synonyms: Socially, companionably, convivially

    • Antonyms: Solitarily, alone

Noun (derived from the adjective):

  • Definition: A strong preference for being with others; sociability.

    • Synonyms: Socialness, outgoingness, conviviality

    • Antonyms: Introversion, solitude, reclusion

Examples of Use

1. Book:

  • "Harry was a gregarious soul, always up for a chat and a laugh in the Gryffindor common room." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

2. Newspaper:

  • "The gregarious nature of penguins makes them popular subjects for documentaries and wildlife tours." (The Guardian)

3. Online Publication:

  • "This app is perfect for connecting with other gregarious dog owners in your neighbourhood for playdates and walks!" (Blog post about a dog walking app)

4. Entertainment Medium (Movie):

  • Film Critic: "Though portraying a shy wallflower, Emma Watson perfectly captures Belle's transformation into a more gregarious and curious young woman." (Review of "Beauty and the Beast")

5. Entertainment Medium (TV Show):

  • Character 1: "Ugh, another party? I'm not exactly the gregarious type."

  • Character 2: "Come on, loosen up a bit! It'll be fun." (Sitcom dialogue)

6. General Public Discourse:

  • "My neighbor throws the most fantastic barbecues – she's so gregarious and always welcomes everyone with open arms." (Casual conversation)

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Gregarious

While there aren't ten widely circulated quotes specifically using "gregarious," here are some interesting quotes that touch on the concept of being social or solitary:

  1. "The human being is in the most literal sense a political animal, not merely a gregarious animal, but an animal which can individuate itself only in the midst of society." - Aristotle (Greek philosopher)

  2. "I'm the most gregarious of men and love good company, but never less alone when alone." - Nicolas Chamfort (French writer)

  3. "Like silence, solitude is restorative." - Hannah Whitall Smith (American religious writer)

  4. "Solitude is a place of renewal." - John O'Donohue (Irish poet)

  5. "There is a solitude of the soul which no one can penetrate." - Agnes Martin (American abstract painter)

  6. "The good thing about working alone is I get a lot done and can experiment more." - Sylvia Plath (American poet)

  7. "The opposite of loneliness is not always togetherness, it is feeling connected." - Jean Vanier (Canadian philosopher)

  8. "We are all connected to each other, but some of us are more aware of it than others." - Terri Lynne Underwood (American inspirational speaker)

  9. "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary (New Zealand mountaineer) [Focuses on individual challenge, but can be seen as a metaphor for overcoming social anxieties] .

  10. "The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (Greek philosopher) [Though not directly about gregariousness, highlights the importance of self-reflection, which can sometimes involve solitude]

Etymology

The word "gregarious" comes from the Latin word "grex," which means "herd" or "flock." Imagine a big group of sheep or cows all hanging out together. That's where the idea of being social comes from!

The word "gregarious" first showed up in English writing around the 1600s. Back then, it was mainly used to describe animals that lived in groups. But people soon realized it worked well for describing folks who liked being around others too, and by the 1700s, it was being used for both!

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Gregarious

  • A gregarious soul: This describes someone who is naturally social and enjoys being around others.

  • A gregarious atmosphere: This refers to a lively and social environment, full of people interacting and having fun.

  • A gregarious bunch: This is a casual way to describe a group of people who are friendly and outgoing.

  • Come out of one's shell: This idiom describes someone who is usually shy becoming more outgoing and social, similar to a hermit crab leaving its shell. (Note: This idiom doesn't directly use "gregarious" but is related to the concept).

  • Like birds of a feather: This idiom refers to people who are similar and enjoy spending time together because of shared interests. It can be used with "gregarious" to describe a group of social people who naturally gravitate towards each other. (Example: "The park was filled with gregarious folks, like birds of a feather flocking together for the picnic.")

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Source Information

Definition of gregarious from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.