many

1 of 3

adjective

ˈme-nē 

more ˈmȯr  ; most 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

many

2 of 3

pronoun

plural in construction

: a large number of persons or things

many are called

many

3 of 3

noun

plural in construction

1

: a large but indefinite number

a good many of them

2

: the great majority of people

the many

Phrases

as many

: the same in number

saw three plays in as many days

Synonyms

Adjective

• numerous
• multiple
• several
• countless

Examples of many in a Sentence

Adjective

a journey of many miles begins with a single step

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

How to wash makeup brushes There are many ways to clean your makeup brushes. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

Rayna James' house was located in Belle Meade, many scenes take place at the Bluebird Cafe, and other filming locations include Percy Warner Park, the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, The 5 Spot, The Parthenon at Centennial Park, The Grand Ole Opry, Biscuit Love, and more. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025

This sport is littered with clubs that have hit their nadirs and rebounded all within the timeframe of the Angels’ last winning record, the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks and many more. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025

With nearly a quarter of all adults experiencing chronic back pain, many Americans are now seeking alternatives to opioids for meaningful relief. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Pronoun, and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing many

• a good many
• as many as
• great/good many
• half again as much/many as
• half as much/many again as
• have a few too many
• how many
• How many times
• in many ways
• in so many words
• make many demands on
• many a/an
• many and various
• many hands make light work
• (many) happy returns
• many moons
• many/plenty more fish in the sea
• many-sided
• many's the
• many-valued
• not many
• one too many
• so many
• that many
• the many
• too many to count
• wear many hats

Rhymes for many

• any
• bennie
• benny
• henny
• jenny
• penny
• antennae
• halfpenny
• propene
• sixpenny
• threepenny
• twopenny

Kids Definition

many

1 of 3 adjective

ˈmen-ē 

more ˈmō(ə)r 

ˈmȯ(ə)r

; most ˈmōst 

1

: amounting to a large number

worked for many years

2

: being one of a large but indefinite number

told many a tale

many

2 of 3 pronoun

: a large number

many of the students were late

many

3 of 3 noun

: a large but indefinite number

a good many of them