bunch

 
Pronunciation: /bʌn(t)ʃ/

noun

  • 1a number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together: a bunch of grapes
  • informal a group of people.
  • informal, chiefly North American a large number or quantity; a lot: the bluesy style that earned him a bunch of '70s hits
  • 2 (bunches) British a girl’s hairstyle in which the hair is tied back into two clumps at the back or on either side of the head.

verb

[with object]
  • collect or fasten into a compact group: she bunched the needles together
  • form or cause to form tight folds: [no object]: the bedclothes had bunched up around his waist
  • [no object] form into a tight group or crowd: he halted, forcing the rest of the field to bunch up behind him
  • [no object] (of muscles) flex or bulge.

Phrases

the best (or the pick) of the bunch

informal the best in a particular group.

bunch of fives

British informal a fist or punch.

thanks a bunch

ironic, chiefly British thank you very much.

Derivatives

bunchy

adjective (bunchier, bunchiest)

Origin:

late Middle English: of unknown origin