Synonyms of manynext
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
see also:

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

Examples of many in a Sentence

Adjective a journey of many miles begins with a single step
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.
Adjective
Both in Serbia and Hungary, many have expressed hope that ousting their autocratic governments would open up a chance for a new generation of political representation and genuine democratic participation. — Jovana Gec, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026 Young people in Israel are required to join the military — a group that typically leans right in many countries. — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026 Like many of the pioneers who would go on to inspire the genre, Hysterical Love Project are resistant to being boxed in as trip-hop at all. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026 The August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enraged many senior Russian officials. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for many

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of many was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Many.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/many. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
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