amongst
She found her keys amongst the clutter on the table.
The keys were located within the messy items on the table.
in the middle of or surrounded by a group of people or things
The lost child was found amongst the crowd at the festival.
The child who was missing was discovered within the large group of people at the festival.
Often used in formal or literary contexts, though 'among' is more common in modern English.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
Use 'amongst' in formal writing or literary contexts, but prefer 'among' in everyday speech.
Gold Rule
Correct Usage
Both 'among' and 'amongst' are correct, but 'amongst' is more common in British English and formal contexts.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'amongest,' a variant of 'among,' derived from Old English 'on gemang,' meaning 'in a crowd.'
Usage Notes
'Amongst' is a formal or archaic variant of 'among.' While both are correct, 'among' is more commonly used in modern English.