Among: meaning, definitions and examples

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among

[əˈmʌŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Preposition}

in a group or set

In the midst of; surrounded by; in the company of.

Synonyms

amid, amidst, in the midst of, surrounded by.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
among	Used when referring to being part of a group, surrounded by other people or things. She was among friends at the party. There was a large tree among the houses.
amidst	Similar to 'amid', used in more poetic or literary contexts to describe being surrounded by or in the middle of something. She felt alone amidst the bustling city. Amidst the confusion, he kept a level head.
amid	Often used in formal writing to indicate being in the middle of or surrounded by something, often something not physical like emotions or situations. The town was silent amid the rumors of war. He found it difficult to concentrate amid the chaos.
in the midst of	Typically used to describe being in the middle of an ongoing process or situation. They are in the midst of a financial crisis. She was in the midst of her speech when the lights went out.
surrounded by	Used to describe being encircled closely by people, objects or situations. He felt comforted, surrounded by his loved ones. The village was surrounded by mountains.

Examples of usage

She was among friends at the party.
He found the book hidden among the clutter on the desk.

^{Context #2 | Preposition}

included in a specified group

Being a member or members of.

Synonyms

included in, part of, within the group of.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
among	Used when referring to something being in the middle of or surrounded by other things or people. She was among friends. He found the letter among his papers.
included in	Used when something is made part of a larger group or whole. She was included in the team. All taxes are included in the final price.
part of	Used to express that something is a member or component of a larger entity. He is part of the project. The wheels are part of the car.
within the group of	Used when specifying something inside a particular group. He is within the group of top students. She felt safe within the group of her colleagues.

Examples of usage

He was among the top students in the class.
The painting is among the most famous works of art.

^{Context #3 | Adverb}

used to indicate a choice or selection

In the number, class, or group of; of which one is chosen.

Synonyms

chosen from, picked out of, selected from.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
among	Used to indicate a position within a group of people or things. It often implies being surrounded by others or being a part of a group. She felt comfortable among her friends The secret was hidden among the books
chosen from	Used when referring to selecting something out of a larger set or group, often indicating a deliberate choice. The artwork was chosen from many submissions He was chosen from the best candidates
selected from	Used in more formal or official contexts, indicating a careful or systematic process of choice, often with some criteria or standards. The committee selected winners from hundreds of entries The best players were selected from various teams
picked out of	Similar to 'chosen from,' but often implies a more casual or personal selection process. She picked out her favorite dress out of the wardrobe The prizewinner was picked out of the crowd

Examples of usage

He is among the best in his field.
She is among the finalists for the competition.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'among' which means 'in the midst of' or 'in the company of'.
Originally, 'among' was used more for things that are physically close to each other rather than people.
Related words in other Germanic languages showcase similar meanings, such as 'unter' in German, meaning 'under' or 'among'.

Literature

The word appears frequently in classic literature to denote social interactions and settings, emphasizing relationships among characters.
Famous authors like Shakespeare and Jane Austen used it to illustrate social norms and group dynamics.
Its usage helps to create depth in storytelling, allowing readers to feel the connection between characters.

Psychology

'Among' can describe social dynamics, highlighting feelings of belonging or exclusion within groups.
Studies show that being 'among' others can impact emotional well-being, making individuals feel more secure or anxious.
The sense of community often associated with this word is crucial for human development and mental health.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, being 'among' family or friends is emphasized during gatherings and ceremonies, showcasing the importance of community.
Social sciences often explore how our behavior shifts when we are among different groups, such as family, friends, or colleagues.
The concept of 'among' plays a key role in shaping cultural identities, influencing how societies interact with one another.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies often depict characters finding connection or struggle while being 'among' others, reflecting real human experiences.
In modern social media, people often share feelings about being 'among' their online followers, creating a sense of virtual community.
Popular phrases like 'among friends' highlight the emotional significance of being part of a group in contemporary storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "among" in other languages:

🇵🇹 entre

🇮🇳 के बीच

🇩🇪 unter

🇮🇩 di antara

🇺🇦 серед

🇵🇱 wśród

🇯🇵 の中に

🇫🇷 parmi

🇪🇸 entre

🇹🇷 arasında

🇰🇷 사이에

🇸🇦 بين

🇨🇿 mezi

🇸🇰 medzi

🇨🇳 在...之间

🇸🇮 med

🇮🇸 meðal

🇰🇿 арасында

🇬🇪 შორის

🇦🇿 arasında

🇲🇽 entre

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #195, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.

...
192 find
193 amount
194 whole
195 among
196 government
197 often
198 school
...