many

adjective \ ˈme-nē \

Definition of many

more play \ˈmȯr\; most play \ˈmōst\

1 :consisting of or amounting to a large but indefinite number

worked for many years

the many advantages of an education

2 :being one of a large but indefinite number

many a man

many another student

— as many

:the same in number

saw three plays in as many days

See many defined for English-language learners

See many defined for kids

Examples of many in a Sentence

a journey of many miles begins with a single step

Recent Examples of many from the Web

Many dealerships are turning their sales force into experts on automobiles and online research tools, offering more service and less sales pressure.

— bill collins ford, The Courier-Journal, "A New Generation’s Automotive Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
Enjoy music and food trucks in the parking lot at 3750 S. Flamingo Road in Davie from 5 to 9 p.m. Food trucks include Billy Bobs Corn, Key West Conch Shack, Nacho Bizness, Purple People Eatery, Zombie Ice and many more.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Free zoo, bowling and crafts events," 30 Aug. 2017
Many changes on evacuation plans for animals now seen during natural disasters came in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

— meredith colias, Post-Tribune, "Northwest Indiana rescue shelters to send volunteers, supplies for pets affected by Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
Hope that those who break our laws by coming here illegally would be sent back as well as the many criminal illegals in our jails.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: A thing called hope," 30 Aug. 2017
If their spouse becomes violent or abusive, Child Protective Services might not be able to help, because in many states the agency's mandate is limited to abuse by parents and guardians.

— shay maunz, Glamour, "How Your State Is Letting Child Marriage Happen," 30 Aug. 2017
That’s very unfortunate because there are so many success stories that all get swept away under this fear factor.

— maura ewing, The Atlantic, "Why So Few Violent Offenders Are Let Out on Parole," 29 Aug. 2017
Not many bars have the energy and ambiance Queensborough has.

— michael benninger, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Meet your bartender: Zack Ball," 29 Aug. 2017
Many must cobble together vacation and sick time in order to help out during those first exhausting days, but others, usually lower-level employees, get neither vacation nor sick time.

— ana veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "Mark Zuckerberg can take paid leave when his child is born, but most fathers can’t," 29 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'many.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of many

Middle English, from Old English manig; akin to Old High German manag many, Old Church Slavonic mŭnogŭ much

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

many Synonyms

Synonyms

beaucoup [slang], legion, multifold, multiple, multiplex, multitudinous, numerous, all kinds of, quite a few

Antonyms

few

Related Words

countless, innumerable, numberless, uncountable, unnumbered, untold; several, some; miscellaneous, mixed, sundry, various; divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad

Near Antonyms

countable, limited

many

pronoun, plural in construction

Definition of many

:a large number of persons or things

many are called

Origin and Etymology of many

see ¹many

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

many

noun, plural in construction

Definition of many

1 :a large but indefinite number

a good many of them

2 :the great majority of people

the many

Origin and Etymology of many

see ¹many

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

MANY Defined for Kids

many

adjective \ ˈme-nē \

Definition of many for Students

more \ˈmȯr\; most \ˈmōst\

1 :amounting to a large number

We had many children to play with.

2 :being one of a large but not definite number

There was many a day when she felt lonely.

many

pronoun

Definition of many for Students

:a large number of people or things

Some stayed, but many left.

many

noun

Definition of many for Students

:a large number

Many of our friends left.

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See words that rhyme with many Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for many Spanish Central: Translation of many Nglish: Translation of many for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of many for Arabic speakers

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Definition of many

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Origin and Etymology of many

many Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

many

Definition of many

Origin and Etymology of many

many

Definition of many

Origin and Etymology of many

MANY Defined for Kids

many

Definition of many for Students

many

Definition of many for Students

many

Definition of many for Students

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