a lot

adverb

1
: to a considerable degree or extent : much, lots
This is a lot nicer.
I liked it a lot. [=very much]
2
: often, frequently
Do you travel a lot?

Examples of a lot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Maybe a lot of Americans in the North didn’t realize this was happening in the U.S. Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024 Eight weeks is not a lot of time to gain muscle, explains Brown. Allison Aubrey, NPR, 3 June 2024 In late May, there was a lot of water rushing across the rocks and down the waterfall on the lefthand side. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024 Experts offer a lot of reasons for the broader trend. Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 2 June 2024 The cap ceiling has gone up since, but not a lot thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 1 June 2024 So a lot of it is energy and humour and being genuine. Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024 Zoey has a lot of times been fairly accused of being a narcissist and being a little too self-centered. Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024 When your window glass lets in a lot of heat and UV rays, your inside temps are harder to keep comfortable. Sara Kendall, Miami Herald, 22 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a lot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of a lot was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near a lot

Cite this Entry

“A lot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20lot. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on a lot

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