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

But when the ball was snapped, many of those defenders peeled back. —Jasmine Cui, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023

Indie and art film producer Jon Kilik, unlike many, remains hopeful for the personal, mid-budget movie for grown-ups. —Will Tizard, Variety, 19 Nov. 2023

Dildos can be used for vaginal stimulation and many can be used for anal play, also known as pegging. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023

From the energy emanating from bustling boardwalks to the stretches of untouched sands, Delaware's coastal wonders promise many seaside encounters. —Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023

On November 16, Hotel San Cristóbal Baja, by the trendy Bunkhouse Hotels, opened the doors of Cosecha, an organic eatery, nestled directly in the property’s lush garden, from which many of the ingredients are sourced. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 18 Nov. 2023

Bridget included many gifts her daughter was given, as well as recommendations from other parents and Parents editors. —Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023

Far from the fighting, the Israel-Gaza war divides friends, families For many, statements from local and national political leaders who equate support for Palestinians with backing Hamas have made matters worse. —Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023

Despite employing many of these systems across Gaza, Israeli security services were caught off guard by Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7. —WIRED, 7 Nov. 2023

Noun

New York Times Reporter Taylor Lorenz was one of many who shared the viral videos on the platform. —Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 4 June 2020

The investigation is just one of many led by House Democrats since taking the majority in the 2018 elections. —Christal Hayes, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2019

Brazil's humiliation was complete when the home crowd - many of whom had been reduced to bitter tears in the first half hour - started cheering every German pass. —SI.com, 13 June 2018

An outspoken critic of the president, Dent has been someone the press corps relied on to publicly say what many of his colleagues were privately thinking. —Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2018

Silverstein is one of many who shared the TV writer Google doc Tuesday. —Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2018

Last April many voiced their frustration at a county commission meeting. —CBS News, 19 Dec. 2017

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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

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

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

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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