huddle

/ˈhʌdəl/

/ˈhʌdəl/

Other forms: huddled; huddling; huddles

In a football game, a huddle is a quick conference before a play. Huddle can also be a dense and disorganized crowd, like a group of people standing under an awning waiting for the rain to pass.

As a verb huddle means to draw people together or to crouch low or curl up. The word comes from the late 16th century, when it meant “to conceal.” That makes sense. When a burglar comes into your home, you might huddle in the closet so he'll leave without harming you. When your mom comes to see if you’re sleeping, you might huddle under your blankets with your flashlight so she won’t know you’re still up reading.

Definitions of huddle

1. noun

   a disorganized and densely packed crowd
   “a huddle of frightened women”

   type of:

   crowd

   a large number of things or people considered together
2. noun

   (informal) a quick private conference
   synonyms: powwow

   type of:

   conference, group discussion

   a discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic
3. noun

   (American football) a quick team meeting behind the line of scrimmage to go over the next play
4. verb

   crowd or draw together
   “let's huddle together--it's cold!”

   synonyms: huddle together

   type of:

   clump, cluster, constellate, flock

   come together as in a cluster or flock
5. verb

   crouch or curl up
   “They huddled outside in the rain”

   synonyms: cower

   type of:

   bend, bow, crouch, stoop

   bend one's back forward from the waist on down