Synonyms for

Colony

Verb / ˈkɑ:lʌni: / Another word for colony — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

A group of people or animals of the same type that live together.

Synonyms & similar words

settlement dependency colony community settlement group hive nest den lair herd pack flock swarm clan tribe society

Synonyms by register

Formal

settlement outpost territory dependency

Informal

group bunch crowd gang

Literary

enclave domain realm

Antonyms

independence autonomy freedom sovereignty self-governance liberation

Common collocations

  • settle a colony
  • establish a colony
  • a new colony
  • the first colony
  • a penal colony
  • a space colony
  • a bacterial colony

Word family

noun colony
verb colonize
adjective colonial
adverb colonially

Usage note

The word 'colony' can refer to a group of people living in a new place under the control of their home country, or a group of animals or plants of the same kind living together. Be mindful of the historical and political connotations associated with the former meaning.

Example sentences

  1. The colony of penguins huddled together to stay warm.
  2. The bees built their colony in a hollow tree.
  3. The bats flew out of their colony at night.
  4. The ants worked together in their colony to gather food.
  5. The colony of seals basked in the sun on the beach.

Quotes

  • 'We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.' - Benjamin Franklin
  • 'A colony of ants can move a mountain.' - Proverb
  • 'A colony of bees is not a hive.' - John Muir

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