cornucopia

noun

cor·​nu·​co·​pia ˌkȯr-nə-ˈkō-pē-ə 

-nyə-ˈkō-

1

: a curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle (such as a horn-shaped basket) that is overflowing especially with fruit and vegetables (such as gourds, ears of corn, apples, and grapes) and that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance

called also horn of plenty

2

: an inexhaustible store : abundance

We marveled at the cornucopia of fruits, meats, toys, fresh fish, baskets, utensils and leather goods for sale in stalls that lined the streets for as far as we could see.

—Guy Garcia

For contemporary performers, soul represents a cornucopia of musical ideas.

—Jon Pareles

3

: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone

cornucopian

ˌkȯr-nə-ˈkō-pē-ən 

-nyə-ˈkō-

adjective

Illustration of cornucopia

• cornucopia a

Did you know?

Cornucopia Has Latin Origins and Greek History

Cornucopia comes from the Late Latin cornu copiae, which translates literally as “horn of plenty.” A traditional staple of feasts, the cornucopia is believed to represent the horn of a goat from Greek mythology. According to legend, it was from this horn, which could be filled with whatever the owner wished, that the god Zeus was fed as an infant by his nurse, the nymph Amalthaea. Later, the horn was filled with flowers and fruits, and given as a present to Zeus. The filled horn (or a receptacle resembling it) has long served as a traditional symbol in art and decoration to suggest a store of abundance. The word first appeared in English in the early 16th century; a century later, it developed the figurative sense of “an overflowing supply.”

Synonyms

• argosy
• gold mine
• mine
• mother lode
• treasure trove
• wellspring

Examples of cornucopia in a Sentence

The market is a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.

The book includes a cornucopia of wonderful stories.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 36-block Main Street District is a cornucopia of charming local businesses, restaurants, and shops. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 July 2024

Melanie Harrison likewise returned from elsewhere to open The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, a cornucopia of irreverent art, literature, and communal chat. —Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024

Subverting classical tailoring fabrics like wools and crisp cottons, denim pieces and exposed underwear elastics referenced ‘90s hip-hop, a cornucopia that acted as a powerful comment on what clothing is considered respectable and why. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Still, Trump lied his way through the debate, giving fact-checkers a cornucopia of things to correct, a highlight reel like no other. —Dan Balz, Washington Post, 29 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin cornu copiae horn of plenty

First Known Use

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

cornucopia

noun

cor·​nu·​co·​pia ˌkȯr-n(y)ə-ˈkō-pē-ə 

1

: a horn-shaped container overflowing with fruits and flowers used as a symbol of plenty

2

: a container shaped like a horn or a cone