numerous

adjective

nu·​mer·​ous ˈnü-mə-rəs How to pronounce numerous (audio)
ˈnüm-rə-;
ˈnyü-mə-, 
ˈnyüm-rə-
Synonyms of numerous
: consisting of great numbers of units or individuals
born into a numerous family
also : many
received numerous complaints
The people I'd like to thank are too numerous to mention.
numerously adverb
numerousness noun

Synonyms of numerous

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Examples of numerous in a Sentence

She decided to leave for numerous reasons. The birds are becoming more numerous in this area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Olmeda of the Mexican state of Baja California, and numerous mayors. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 In her 30-year career, Laura has won numerous national awards for coverage of human trafficking, child welfare, crime and government secrecy. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 Downtown San Diego has been transformed into a haphazard movie set with numerous activities for locals without a Comic-Con International badge. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026 There are numerous federal regulations from different agencies around discharges of radium to the environment, but many do not directly apply to oil and gas wastes. — Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for numerous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin numerōsus, from numerus number entry 2 + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of numerous was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing numerous

Rhymes for numerous

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Browse Nearby Words

numero uno
numerous
numerously
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Cite this Entry

“Numerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numerous. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

numerous

adjective
nu·​mer·​ous ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce numerous (audio)
: consisting of great numbers
numerous friends
numerously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on numerous

Nglish: Translation of numerous for Spanish Speakers

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