pack
/pæk/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To put things together in a bag, box, or other container for travel, storage, or moving. It can also mean to fill something tightly.
- I packed my bag last night.
- Please pack the books carefully.
- The room was packed with people.
noun
A group of things wrapped or bundled together, or a bag used for carrying things. It can also mean a group of animals or people.
- I bought a six-pack of water.
- He carried a small pack on his back.
- A pack of dogs ran past us.
Adinary Nuance
Pack is broader than "bag" because it can mean both the action and the container. It is more specific than "carry" because it suggests organizing things into a travel set or tight bundle. In speech, "pack" is very common and practical, not formal.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đóng gói
- Spanish
- empaquetar
- Chinese
- 打包
- Japanese
- 詰める
- Korean
- 포장하다
Etymology
Pack entered English from Middle Dutch pack or pak in the Middle Ages. It later developed many everyday meanings, including 'bundle,' 'bag,' and 'put into a container.'
Common phrases
pack a bagpack your thingspack tightlya pack of cards
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is pack a verb or a noun?
- It is both. As a verb, it means to put things into a container. As a noun, it can mean a bundle, bag, or group.
- What is the difference between pack and bag?
- A bag is a thing you carry. Pack is often the action, or a bundle/group of things.
- Is pack formal or informal?
- Pack is a common everyday word. It works well in speaking, writing, and business travel contexts.
- Can pack mean 'fill with people'?
- Yes. You can say a place is packed when it is very full of people or things.