pack

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To put belongings or goods together tightly into a bag, box, or container.

   Grammar: Takes an object: pack a suitcase. Can be used with 'into': pack clothes into a bag.

   Patterns

   • pack something
   • pack something into something
   • pack for a trip

   I need to pack my suitcase before the flight tomorrow.

   She packed all the books into boxes for the move.

   He packed his clothes quickly and rushed to the airport.

2. 2nouncountable

   A group of similar things bundled together, or a group of animals that live and hunt together.

   Grammar: Countable: a pack of cards, a pack of wolves. Often used with 'of'.

   Patterns

   • a pack of something
   • a pack of animals

   He bought a pack of gum at the store.

   A pack of wolves was spotted near the forest.

   She opened a fresh pack of playing cards.

Word forms

Common combinations

pack a suitcase

I haven't packed my suitcase yet.

pack a bag

She packed a bag for the weekend.

a pack of wolves

A pack of wolves howled in the distance.

a pack of cards

We need a pack of cards to play poker.

packed with

The room was packed with people.

Synonyms and how they differ

bundle

As a noun, 'bundle' is a group of things tied together, while 'pack' often refers to a commercial package or a group of animals.

fill

As a verb, 'fill' means to make something full, but 'pack' emphasizes putting things in tightly and often for travel.

Opposites

Word family

packing noun

The act of putting things into containers, or material used to protect goods.

package noun

Something wrapped or packed for transport.

packed adjective

Full of people or things; crowded.

Commonly confused: pack or packed?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pack”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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