many
[ men-ee ]
/ ˈmɛn i /
adjective, more, most.
constituting or forming a large number; numerous: many people.
noting each one of a large number (usually followed by a or an): For many a day it rained.
noun
a large or considerable number of persons or things: A good many of the beggars were blind.
the many,
the greater part of humankind.
pronoun
many persons or things: Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.
Origin of many
before 900; Middle English
mani, meni, Old English
manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German
manag, menig, Danish
mange, Gothic
manags
SYNONYMS FOR many
1
multifarious,
multitudinous,
myriad;
divers,
sundry,
various.
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM many
o·ver·man·y, adjectiveWords nearby many
British Dictionary definitions for many a
many
/ (ˈmɛnɪ) /
determiner
(sometimes preceded by a great or a good)
- a large number ofmany coaches; many times
- (as pronoun; functioning as plural)many are seated already
(foll by a, an, or another, and a singular noun)
each of a considerable number of
many a man
(preceded by as, too, that, etc)
- a great number ofas many apples as you like; too many clouds to see
- (as pronoun; functioning as plural)I have as many as you
noun
the many
the majority of mankind, esp the common people
the many are kept in ignorance while the few prosper Compare few (def. 7)
Word Origin for many
Old English
manig; related to Old Frisian
manich, Middle Dutch
menech, Old High German
manag
Idioms and Phrases with many a (1 of 2)
many a
Numerous ones, as in Many a little boy has wanted to become a fireman. This adjective is always used with a singular noun, a usage dating from about 1200. Also see many is the.
Idioms and Phrases with many a (2 of 2)
many