amount

[ uh-mount ]

noun

1. the sum total of two or more quantities or sums; aggregate.
2. the sum of the principal and interest of a loan.
3. quantity; measure:

   a great amount of resistance.

4. the full effect, value, or significance.

verb (used without object)

1. to total; add (usually followed by to ):

   The repair bill amounts to $300.

2. to reach, extend, or be equal in number, quantity, effect, etc.; be equivalent (usually followed by to ):

   It is stated differently but amounts to the same thing.

3. to develop into; become (usually followed by to ):

   With his intelligence, he should amount to something when he grows up.

amount

/ əˈmaʊnt /

noun

1. extent; quantity; supply
2. the total of two or more quantities; sum
3. the full value, effect, or significance of something
4. a principal sum plus the interest on it, as in a loan

verb

1. intrusually foll byto to be equal or add up in effect, meaning, or quantity

Usage

The use of a plural noun after amount of (an amount of bananas; the amount of refugees ) should be avoided: a quantity of bananas; the number of refugees

Confusables Note

The traditional distinction between amount and number is that amount is used with mass or uncountable nouns ( the amount of paperwork; the amount of energy ) and number with countable nouns ( a number of songs; a number of days ). Although objected to, the use of amount instead of number with countable nouns occurs in both speech and writing, especially when the noun can be considered as a unit or group ( the amount of people present; the amount of weapons ) or when it refers to money ( the amount of dollars paid; the amount of pennies in the till ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of amount¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb amounten, amunten, from Anglo-French amo(u)nter, amunter, Old French amonter literally, “to go up, ascend,” probably a- + monter; noun use of verb from early 18th century; a- ⁵, mount ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of amount¹

C13: from Old French amonter to go up, from amont upwards, from a to + mont mountain (from Latin mōns )

Example Sentences

The housing department has proposed increasing the minimum amount of time tenants have to live in their social home before buying them from the current three years.

From BBC

Trump has said there's no price tag so there is already a tremendous amount of activity taking place in the private sector, with private prison and airplane businesses gearing up for some major government contracts.

From Salon

It can lead to lung injury, coma and death within seconds when consumed in large amounts, but even small doses can still be very harmful.

From BBC

Nine players pulled out of the England squad for the recent Nations League double-header, an amount that raised eyebrows from fans - and even Three Lions captain Harry Kane.

From BBC

"By amplifying the fusion cross section, more power can be produced from the same amount of fuel," said Parisi.

From Science Daily