amongst

Amongst is a preposition used to indicate inclusion within a group or distribution within a set. It is a variant spelling of "among" and traces back to Middle English. In modern usage, "amongst" is most common in British English and in more formal or literary writing, while American and many international contexts favor "among."

Usage: It usually follows a noun phrase representing the group or collection. It can mean "in the midst of" or "surrounded by" or "distributed among." Examples: "She stood amongst the trees" and "The prize was shared amongst the finalists." When referring to other people, "amongst others" is common in British style; Americans typically say "among others."

Register and style: Amongst tends to be more formal, traditional, or literary in contemporary English. Many editors treat it as a variant of "among" rather than a separate word; its use is often guided by regional preference or the desired tone of the text.

Related usage notes: Use "between" for two elements and "among"/"amongst" for three or more. The choice between "among" and "amongst" does not change meaning, only dialect or formality. "Among" remains the more universal form in modern writing.