Definition of copiousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective copious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copious are abundant, ample, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

How do abundant and plentiful relate to one another, in the sense of copious?

Abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.

streams abundant with fish

When can ample be used instead of copious?

While in some cases nearly identical to copious, ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

When is plentiful a more appropriate choice than copious?

The words plentiful and copious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of copious At the feast, Attila consumed copious amounts of wine. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026 That story appears in fragments across the album; sleuths will have a field day scouring the record for its copious Easter eggs. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026 Corn remains one of our favorite ways to enjoy summer’s bounty, whether grilling the cobs whole and serving with plenty of salt or simply sautéing the kernels in copious amounts of butter. Staff Author, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026 By extension, the copious amount of money that flowed to college football is what made a player’s time on campus plush, but that also kept players in good standing economically long after their collegiate (and NFL, if fortunate) playing days ended. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for copious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copious
Adjective
  • From its earliest foundations, the daily operation of its vast workforce, and the lavish palatial residence, there seems to be no end in sight to its former glory.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
  • Guerrero Flores had his own lavish suite.
    Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Would customers still choose us if intelligence itself became abundant and cheap?
    Carl Fritjofsson, Fortune, 19 June 2026
  • Of course, few of us look out at the world with a clear understanding of how abundant rewards are.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • In a pantheon that the Heat in no way hope next includes Antetokounmpo, there already have been ample letdowns.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2026
  • Gold and Beyond attorney Marc Cook said his client exhibited patience with Mayweather, giving him ample time to pay for the watch.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Scavengers were plentiful on the more recent remains, with one whale fall hosting up to 2,840 organisms in a single square meter.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
  • Like most Travelon products, its anti-theft features—like locking zippers and a hidden pocket perfect for keeping a passport —are plentiful.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Too much iron can be dangerous, and excessive vitamin D may lead to high calcium levels and other complications.
    Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 18 June 2026
  • Study author Alexandros Vgontzas, MD, director of the Sleep Research and Treatment Center at Penn State College of Medicine, told Health the results suggest that excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged sleep latency may be important risk factors for hypertension.
    Zoe Cunniffe, Health, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Definitely don’t be overly profuse or attempt to be complicated in whatever your request is.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
  • The narratively profuse mystery game Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is like living in a Bikini Kill song followed by a Phoebe Bridgers ballad.
    Harold Goldberg, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Say, a salmon and avocado salad or a bountiful citrus salad.
    Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026
  • Grow good tomato companions at the base, like marigolds, basil, and sweet alyssum, for a full and bountiful-looking garden.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Part slasher parody, part meta commentary on the structure of horror movies, and fully riotous, Behind the Mask is a dreadfully under-appreciated contribution to the subgenre that would have made for a terrific franchise.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
  • Shocking video captured the moments anti-ICE agitators were arrested outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Friday, during riotous confrontations.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Copious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copious. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on copious

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster