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

• beaucoup [slang]
• legion
• multifold
• multiple
• multiplex
• multitudinous
• numerous

Examples of many in a Sentence

Adjective

a journey of many miles begins with a single step

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For many people, the first sign of fall comes when the light starts to change, an ethereal shift that begins well before the temperature drops. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2024

To appeal to young consumers in China — many of whom are seeking instant gratification and immersive experiences — Alifish’s Hello Kitty and Her Besties’ Party was hosted at Chengdu Cosmo. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 8 Sep. 2024

In addition to serving as a top spot for hummingbird watching, this cozy cabin also offers plush suites and a top-tier dining program, with many of the dishes crafted using ingredients from the on-property garden. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

The evacuation did help more than 124,000 people leave Afghanistan, but according to the report, not everyone who was eligible, like many of the Afghans who had helped the military in the 20-year war, were able to leave. —Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Pronoun, and Noun

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

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing many

• a good many
• as 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

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