Herd vs. Flock — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 8, 2023
A herd generally refers to a group of large grazing animals like cows, while a flock refers to a group of birds or smaller animals like sheep.
Difference Between Herd and Flock
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A herd is commonly used to describe a group of large grazing mammals, such as cattle, elephants, or deer. This term usually applies to animals that are somewhat similar in size and characteristics and share a general behavior pattern of grazing. On the other hand, the word "flock" is most often used to describe a group of birds but can also apply to smaller land animals like sheep or goats.
In etymological terms, "herd" originates from the Old English word "heord," referring to a keeper of animals. The term "flock" derives from the Old English "flocc," emphasizing the collective nature of the group. Although both words serve similar purposes in describing collections of animals, their origins subtly reflect the types of animals they usually refer to.
Grammatically speaking, both "herd" and "flock" are collective nouns. However, the word "herd" can also function as a verb, meaning to gather or lead animals in a particular direction. "Flock," as a verb, means to gather closely together, but it's less commonly used to describe the action of the animals themselves.
Another interesting aspect is the way these terms have extended beyond their literal meanings. "Herd mentality" is a psychological term that discusses how individuals in a group can act collectively without centralized direction. "Flock" in a metaphorical sense can refer to a group of people with a shared interest, as in "a flock of tourists."
Comparison Chart
Common Animals
Large grazing animals
Birds, smaller animals
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Etymology
From Old English "heord"
From Old English "flocc"
Part of Speech
Collective noun, also a verb
Collective noun
Extended Meaning
"Herd mentality" in psychology
Metaphorically a group of people
Verb Use
"To herd cattle"
Less commonly used as a verb
Compare with Definitions
Herd
The act of managing such a group.
He had to herd the cows back to the barn.
Flock
A group of birds.
A flock of geese flew overhead.
Herd
A large crowd of people.
A herd of fans rushed the stage.
Flock
A group of small land animals like sheep.
The shepherd tends to his flock.
Herd
A herd is a social group of certain animals of the same species, either wild or domestic. The form of collective animal behavior associated with this is called herding.
Flock
A large group of people.
A flock of tourists visited the museum.
Herd
A group of cattle or other large herbivorous mammals of a single kind kept together for a specific purpose.
Flock
To gather closely together.
People flocked to the store for the sale.
Herd
A number of wild animals of one species, especially large herbivorous mammals, that remain together as a group
A herd of elephants.
Flock
A congregation in a religious context.
The pastor preached to his flock.
Herd
A large number of people; a crowd
A herd of stranded passengers.
Flock
A group of animals that live, travel, or feed together.
Herd
The multitude of common people regarded as a mass
"It is the luxurious and dissipated who set the fashions which the herd so diligently follow" (Henry David Thoreau).
Flock
A group of people under the leadership of one person, especially the members of a church.
Herd
To come together in a herd
The sheep herded for warmth.
Flock
A large crowd or number
A flock of visitors.
A flock of questions.
Herd
To gather, keep, or drive (animals) in a herd.
Flock
To stuff with waste wool or cotton.
Herd
To tend (sheep or cattle).
Flock
To texture or pattern with pulverized wool or felt.
Herd
To gather and place into a group or mass
Herded the children into the auditorium.
Flock
A number of birds together in a group, such as those gathered together for the purpose of migration.
Herd
A number of domestic animals assembled together under the watch or ownership of a keeper.
A herd of cattle
A herd of sheep
A herd of goats
Flock
A large number of animals associated together in a group; commonly used of sheep, but dated also used for goats, farmed animals, and a wide variety of animals.
Herd
Any collection of animals gathered or travelling in a company.
Flock
Those served by a particular pastor or shepherd.herd/flock
Herd
A crowd, a mass of people or things; a rabble.
Flock
A large number of people.
Herd
Someone who keeps a group of domestic animals; a herdsman.
Flock
(Christianity) A religious congregation.
Herd
(intransitive) To unite or associate in a herd; to feed or run together, or in company.
Sheep herd on many hills.
Flock
Coarse tufts of wool or cotton used in bedding.
Herd
(transitive) To unite or associate in a herd
Flock
A lock of wool or hair.
Herd
(transitive) To manage, care for or guard a herd
He is employed to herd the goats.
Flock
Very fine sifted woollen refuse, especially that from shearing the nap of cloths, formerly used as a coating for wallpaper to give it a velvety or clothlike appearance; also, the dust of vegetable fibre used for a similar purpose.
Herd
(intransitive) To associate; to ally oneself with, or place oneself among, a group or company.
Flock
(intransitive) To congregate in or head towards a place in large numbers.
People flocked to the cinema to see the new film.
Herd
To act as a herdsman or a shepherd.
Flock
To flock to; to crowd.
Herd
(transitive) To form or put into a herd.
Flock
To treat a pool with chemicals to remove suspended particles.
Herd
(transitive) To move or drive a herd.
I heard the herd of cattle being herded home from a long way away.
Flock
(transitive) To coat a surface with dense fibers or particles; especially, to create a dense arrangement of fibers with a desired nap.
The sampling and elution advantages of flocked swabs versus spun swabs
Herd
Haired.
Flock
To cover a Christmas tree with artificial snow.
Herd
A number of beasts assembled together; as, a herd of horses, oxen, cattle, camels, elephants, deer, or swine; a particular stock or family of cattle.
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea.
Flock
A company or collection of living creatures; - especially applied to sheep and birds, rarely to persons or (except in the plural) to cattle and other large animals; as, a flock of ravenous fowl.
The heathen . . . came to Nicanor by flocks.
Herd
A crowd of low people; a rabble.
But far more numerous was the herd of suchWho think too little and who talk too much.
You can never interest the common herd in the abstract question.
Flock
A Christian church or congregation; considered in their relation to the pastor, or minister in charge.
As half amazed, half frighted all his flock.
Herd
One who herds or assembles domestic animals; a herdsman; - much used in composition; as, a shepherd; a goatherd, and the like.
Flock
A lock of wool or hair.
I prythee, Tom, beat Cut's saddle, put a few flocks in the point [pommel].
Herd
To unite or associate in a herd; to feed or run together, or in company; as, sheep herd on many hills.
Flock
Very fine, sifted, woolen refuse, especially that from shearing the nap of cloths, used as a coating for wall paper to give it a velvety or clothlike appearance; also, the dust of vegetable fiber used for a similar purpose.
Herd
To associate; to ally one's self with, or place one's self among, a group or company.
I'll herd among his friends, and seemOne of the number.
Flock
To gather in companies or crowds.
Friends daily flock.
Herd
To act as a herdsman or a shepherd.
Flock
To flock to; to crowd.
Good fellows, trooping, flocked me so.
Herd
To form or put into a herd.
Flock
To coat with flock, as wall paper; to roughen the surface of (as glass) so as to give an appearance of being covered with fine flock.
Herd
A group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
Flock
A church congregation guided by a pastor
Herd
A group of wild animals of one species that remain together: antelope or elephants or seals or whales or zebra
Flock
A group of birds
Herd
A crowd especially of ordinary or undistinguished persons or things;
His brilliance raised him above the ruck
The children resembled a fairy herd
Flock
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Herd
Cause to herd, drive, or crowd together;
We herded the children into a spare classroom
Flock
An orderly crowd;
A troop of children
Herd
Move together, like a herd
Flock
A group of sheep or goats
Herd
Keep, move, or drive animals;
Who will be herding the cattle when the cowboy dies?
Flock
Move as a crowd or in a group;
Tourists flocked to the shrine where the statue was said to have shed tears
Herd
A group of grazing mammals.
The herd of cattle roamed the pasture.
Flock
Come together as in a cluster or flock;
The poets constellate in this town every summer
Herd
An assembly of similar things.
A herd of problems confronted him at work.
Herd
To gather or lead animals.
She will herd the sheep into the pen.
Common Curiosities
Is Herd used for birds?
Generally, no. Herd is typically for large grazing animals.
Can Flock be used as a verb?
Yes, but less commonly. "To flock" means to gather closely together.
Is Flock used for large animals?
Generally, no. Flock is primarily for birds and smaller animals.
What is a Herd?
A herd generally refers to a group of large grazing animals.
Can Herd be used as a verb?
Yes, "to herd" means to gather or lead animals.
What is a Flock?
A flock typically refers to a group of birds or smaller animals like sheep.
What is the origin of Herd?
It originates from the Old English word "heord."
Can you have a herd of people?
Metaphorically, yes, to describe a large crowd.
What's an example of extended use for Herd?
"Herd mentality" in psychology.
What is the origin of Flock?
It comes from the Old English word "flocc."
What's the plural of Herd?
Herds.
What's the plural of Flock?
Flocks.
What's an example of extended use for Flock?
Describing a group of people with shared interests.
Can you have a flock of people?
Yes, metaphorically it can describe a group of people.
Are both Herd and Flock collective nouns?
Yes, both are collective nouns used to describe groups of animals.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
