many

[ men-ee ]

adjective

, more, most.

1. constituting or forming a large number; numerous:

   many people.

   Synonyms: various, sundry, divers, myriad, multitudinous, multifarious

   Antonyms: single, few

2. noting each one of a large number (usually followed by a or an ):

   For many a day it rained.

noun

1. a large or considerable number of persons or things:

   A good many of the beggars were blind.

2. the many, the greater part of humankind.

pronoun

1. many persons or things:

   Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.

many

/ ˈmɛnɪ /

determiner

1. sometimes preceded bya great or a good
   1. a large number of

      many coaches

      many times

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      many are seated already

2. foll bya, an, or another, and a singular noun each of a considerable number of

   many a man

3. preceded byas, too, that, etc
   1. a great number of

      as many apples as you like

      too many clouds to see

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      I have as many as you

noun

1. the many
   the majority of mankind, esp the common people Compare few

   the many are kept in ignorance while the few prosper

Other Words From

• over·many adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of many¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mani, meni, Old English manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German manag, menig, Danish mange, Gothic manags

Word History and Origins

Origin of many¹

Old English manig; related to Old Frisian manich, Middle Dutch menech, Old High German manag

Idioms and Phrases

• as many
• good (great) many
• in so many words
• irons in the fire, too many
• so many
• too many cooks spoil the broth

Synonym Study

Many, innumerable, manifold, numerous imply the presence or succession of a large number of units. Many is a popular and common word for this idea: many times. Numerous, a more formal word, refers to a great number or to very many units: letters too numerous to mention. Innumerable denotes a number that is beyond count or, more loosely, that is extremely difficult to count: the innumerable stars in the sky. Manifold implies not only that the number is large but also that there is variety or complexity.

Example Sentences

Still, many of Gaetz's colleagues were glad to see him go.

From Salon

It is possible that the Republican-led Senate holds confirmation hearings and decides, at the end, to defy their president and reject his pick to take on the “Deep State” and his many “enemies from within.”

From Salon

The onions were directly distributed in many western and midwestern states, including Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas.

From BBC

As with many rare phobias, causal factors for people with bananaphobia can be hard to determine, but experts say it can often stem from childhood.

From BBC

Mr Lumley said there were "too many incidents of bruising for it not to have been the result of neglect", adding anyone living with Charlie bore "criminal responsibility" for what happened to him.

From BBC