many a/an

idiom

formal + literary
used with a singular noun to refer to a large number of things or people
I've been there many a time.
Many a tale was told.
Many a man has tried but few men have succeeded.

Examples of many a/an in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There have been many a story about the trauma and the tragedy inflicted by those organizations. ABC News, 9 June 2024 Instead, what did was his work at local spots like Gabrielle Hamilton’s Prune (preparing brunches as a lead cook) and Franny’s, the beloved Brooklyn pizzeria (making and eating many a salad). Eric Kim, New York Times, 29 May 2024 Neil and the folks at Dreamchaser’s Brewery created a wonderful spot, one that many of us created lifelong memories in, and one that gave many a feeling of hometown comfort. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2024 The father-son duo were the emotional crux of many a Glee plotline, from Kurt’s bullying trauma to Burt’s cancer diagnosis. Shania Russell, EW.com, 19 May 2024 The Italian eyewear brand is setting up shop on the La Terrasse by Albane atop the JW Marriott, site of many a premiere afterparty and A-list affair over the years. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2024 For example, upon the recent, tragic passing of DBZ’s creator, Akira Toriyama, whose creations helped launch anime into the American market, many a hip hop artist grieved, stating Goku’s character as inspiration for their drive. Aj Morris, Essence, 10 May 2024 The Lost Coast, a Northern California trail on many a hiker’s bucket list, is one of the only coastal backpacking opportunities in the contiguous United States. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024 The year that introduced us to Ciara’s Goodies and Usher’s Confessions also brought us now-classic qualified films that sent us lining up for the multiplex and later took many a spin in our DVD players after school. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'many a/an.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near many a/an

Cite this Entry

“Many a/an.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/many%20a%2Fan. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!