Crew

/kruː/

nounBeginner📊CommonGroup
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A group of people who work together, especially on a ship, aircraft, or train; or in the context of a film or television production.

/kruː/

nounneutralBeginner
Group

A group of people working together.

The rescue crew searched the wreckage for survivors.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO castle with your friends. The group of you working together to build the castle is your 'crew'! It’s a team that works together.

👶 For kids: A 'crew' is like a team that works together, like the people on a boat or the people making a movie.

More Examples

2

The movie crew filmed the final scene.

3

The ship's crew consisted of experienced sailors.

How It's Used

Transportation

"The ship's crew prepared for departure."

Film Production

"The film crew worked tirelessly on set."

Aviation

"The flight crew ensured passenger safety."

2

To work as a member of a crew, typically on a ship, aircraft, or in a similar setting.

/kruː/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To serve as a member of a crew.

She spent the summer crewing on a research vessel.

💡 Simply: To 'crew' means you are part of a team working together on something, like being a crew member on a boat. You're actively helping.

👶 For kids: When you 'crew,' you help the team do their job, like helping your friends build a fort.

More Examples

2

He volunteered to crew the sound system for the concert.

3

They crewed the boat during the regatta.

How It's Used

Maritime

"He crewed on a yacht for several years."

Volunteer work

"Many students crew for local events."

Tip:The verb 'crew' relates to actively 'being part of' the crew and participating in their duties.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

crew cut

A very short haircut.

"He got a crew cut for the summer."

From Middle English 'crewe', possibly from Old French 'creue' meaning 'increase, growth', or possibly from Scandinavian origins related to 'kró' meaning 'group'. Evolved to mean a group of people working together.

The word 'crew' has been used since the 15th century, originally referring to a company or group of people.

Memory tip

Think of the 'C' in 'crew' for 'collaborating', 'R' for 'reaching goals', 'E' for 'effort', and 'W' for 'working together.'

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"group of people, company"

film crewflight crewrescue crewship's crewcrew member

Common misspellings

cruekrewcrews

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written