Pack

/pæk/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To put items into a bag, box, or container for storage or transport.

/pæk/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To put things into a container for storage or travel.

She packed her lunch before going to work.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're going on a trip! Packing means putting your clothes, toothbrush, and everything else you need into a bag or suitcase. For example, 'I need to pack my lunch for school.'

👶 For kids: To put things into a box or bag.

More Examples

2

He packed his bags and left for the airport.

3

The movers are packing the furniture.

How It's Used

Travel

"I need to pack my suitcase for the trip."

Logistics

"The warehouse staff is packing the orders."

2

A group or collection of items bundled or wrapped together.

/pæk/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A collection of things wrapped or bundled together.

He bought a pack of playing cards.

💡 Simply: Think of a pack like a group of things that are sold or used together. Like a pack of cookies or a pack of wolves. For example, 'I got a pack of crayons to color with.'

👶 For kids: A group of things together in a box or bag.

More Examples

2

The dog's food comes in a pack.

3

A pack of wolves hunted in the forest.

How It's Used

Commerce

"She bought a pack of gum at the store."

Nature

"A pack of wolves was seen hunting in the forest."

Tip:Picture a PACK of cards – they are grouped and contained.
3

To fill or crowd (a place) with people or things.

/pæk/

verbneutralmedium
General

To crowd together in a specific space.

The movie theater packed for the premiere.

💡 Simply: Imagine a room that's so full of people it's hard to move! That's what it means to pack a space. For example, 'The concert hall was packed with fans!'

👶 For kids: To fill something up with lots of people or things.

More Examples

2

The students packed into the classroom.

3

The event packed the park.

How It's Used

Social gatherings

"The crowd packed the stadium."

Transportation

"The bus was packed with passengers."

Tip:Visualize a crowded space, 'PACKed' with people.

Idioms & expressions

pack animal

An animal used to carry loads, especially in mountainous areas.

"Horses and mules are often used as pack animals in the mountains."

pack it in

To quit or give up; to stop doing something.

"After failing three times, he decided to pack it in and try a different project."

a pack of lies

A set of statements that are deliberately untrue.

"The politician's speech was nothing but a pack of lies."

From Middle English pakken, from Middle Dutch *packen or Low German packen ('to pack'), akin to Old English *paccian ('to pack').

The verb 'pack' dates back to the Middle Ages, reflecting early methods of bundling and carrying goods.

Memory tip

Think of tightly PACKing your suitcase before a vacation.

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle Dutch/Low German
Original meaning

"To bundle or bind together"

pack a bagpack a suitcasepack of cardspack of wolvespack of liespack into

Common misspellings

pakpakkpact

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written