multitude

multitude
mul‧ti‧tude /ˈmʌltətjuːd, ˈmʌltɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/ noun1. a multitude of somebody/something formal or literary a very large number of people or things:
    I had never seen such a multitude of stars before.
    a multitude of possible interpretations
2. the multitude(s) ordinary people, especially when they are thought of as not being very well educated:
    Political power has been placed in the hands of the multitude.
3. [countable] literary or biblical a large crowd of people:
    Clamoring multitudes demanded a view of the Pope.
4. cover/hide a multitude of sins to make faults or problems seem less clear or noticeable – used humorously:
    Patterned carpet can hide a multitude of sins (=the carpet is dirty, but the pattern hides it).
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ crowd a large number of people together in one place: The exhibition is expected to attract large crowds of visitors.
   ▪ mob a crowd of noisy and violent people who are difficult to control: The mob set fire to cars and buildings.
   ▪ mass a very large crowd which is not moving and which is very difficult to move through: the mass of people in the station
   ▪ horde a large crowd of people, especially people who are behaving in a way that you disapprove of or that annoys you: the hordes of tourists on the island
   ▪ droves [plural] a crowd of people – used especially when you are talking about a crowd of people who move from one place to another: The public came in droves to see the event.
   ▪ throng literary a very large crowd: A great throng had gathered to listen to his speech.
   ▪ flock a large group of people of the same type, especially when they have a leader: A flock of children were being shown through the museum.
   ▪ pack a group of people of the same type, especially a group you do not approve of: A pack of reporters shouted questions.
   ▪ swarm a large crowd of people who are moving quickly in many directions in a very uncontrolled way: a swarm of children in the playground
   ▪ crush a crowd of people who are pressed close together: There was such a crush on the Metro this morning.
   ▪ multitude formal literary a very large number of people, especially ordinary people: The Emperor came out to speak to the multitude.
    ⇨ group