Definition of amount
intransitive verb
1a : to be the same in meaning or effect as acts that amount to treasonb : to reach in kind or quality : to turn out to be wanted her son to amount to something [=to be successful] The changes don't really amount to much. [=are not really substantial or significant]
2 : to reach a total : add up The bill amounts to $10.
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Origin and Etymology of amount
Middle English, from Anglo-French amounter, from amount upward, from a- (from Latin ad-) + mont mountain — more at mount
First Known Use: 14th century
amount
Definition of amount
1a : the total number or quantity : aggregate trying to figure the amount of time it will takeb : the quantity at hand or under consideration has an enormous amount of energy
2 : the whole effect, significance, or import
3 accounting : a principal sum and the interest on it
amount vs. number
Number is regularly used with count nouns a large number of mistakes any number of times while amount is mainly used with mass nouns. annual amount of rainfall a substantial amount of money The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or collection glad to furnish any amount of black pebbles — New Yorker a substantial amount of film offers — Lily Tomlin or when money is involved. a substantial amount of loans — E. R. Black
Examples of amount in a Sentence
The drug is not being produced in adequate amounts.
What is the amount to be paid?
An amount was finally agreed upon.
The new law limits the amount a candidate can spend.
When he died we found he owed money to the amount of $250,000!
Origin and Etymology of amount
see 1amount
First Known Use: 1586
AMOUNT Defined for English Language Learners
amount
Definition of amount for English Language Learners
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: a quantity of something
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: a quantity of money
AMOUNT Defined for Kids
Definition of amount for Students
amounted
;amounting
1 : to add up The bill amounted to ten dollars.
2 : to be the same in meaning or effect Giving up would amount to failure.
Definition of amount for Students
: the total number or quantity Add a small amount of salt.
Learn More about amount
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See words that rhyme with amount Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for amount Spanish Central: Translation of amount Nglish: Translation of amount for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of amount for Arabic speakers
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