What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
horde
Example
A horde of tourists descended upon the small town, overwhelming the locals. [horde: noun]
Example
The horde of shoppers rushed into the store as soon as it opened. [horde: noun]
swarm
Example
The bees formed a swarm around the hive, protecting their queen. [swarm: noun]
Example
The concert venue was swarmed by fans eager to see their favorite band. [swarmed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swarm is more commonly used than horde in everyday language. Swarm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while horde is less common and is often used in specific contexts, such as historical battles or fantasy literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between horde and swarm?
Both horde and swarm are generally informal words, but horde may be considered more formal due to its association with historical or literary contexts.
