passel

noun

pas·​sel ˈpa-səl How to pronounce passel (audio)
: a large number or amount

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Passel and Parcel

Loss of the sound of "r" after a vowel and before a consonant in the middle of a word is common in spoken English. This linguistic idiosyncrasy has given the language a few new words, including cuss from curse, bust from burst, and passel from parcel.

Examples of passel in a Sentence

reporters had a whole passel of questions for the new basketball coach the young couple helped a passel of students in the span of a few years
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The first full week of July has a passel of content for all kinds of audiences, including a teen party out of control documentary and some cool-looking original films. PC Magazine, 4 July 2025 Wine and beverage director Aldo Sohm (who is partner in his namesake wine bar across the breezeway) has a passel of sommeliers who are intent on finding you the right bottle for your taste and budget from an extraordinary wine list. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 Returning shows including Severance and Abbott Elementary shined with stellar seasons, while a passel of new series like The Pitt got our hearts racing. EW.com, 25 June 2025 Hiccup’s passel of fellow trainees are a barrel of laughs with Harry Trevaldwyn (Tuffnut), Bronwyn James (Ruffnut), Julian Dennison (Fishlegs), and Gabriel Howell (Snotlout) bringing the majority of the film’s comic relief (and delivering it without ever overplaying the jokes). Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for passel

Word History

Etymology

alteration of parcel

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passel was in 1835

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Cite this Entry

“Passel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passel. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

passel

noun
pas·​sel ˈpas-əl How to pronounce passel (audio)
: a large number : group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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