many

American  

[men-ee] / ˈmɛn i /

adjective

more, most

1. constituting or forming a large number; numerous.

   many people.

   Synonyms:

   various, sundry, divers, myriad, multitudinous, multifarious

   Antonyms:

   single, few

2. noting each one of a large number (usually followed by a oran ).

   For many a day it rained.

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noun

1. a large or considerable number of persons or things.

   A good many of the beggars were blind.

2. the many, the greater part of humankind.

pronoun

1. many persons or things.

   Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.

many British  

/ ˈmɛnɪ /

determiner

1. 1. a large number of

      many coaches

      many times

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      many are seated already

2. each of a considerable number of

   many a man

3. 1. a great number of

      as many apples as you like

      too many clouds to see

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      I have as many as you

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noun

1. the majority of mankind, esp the common people Compare few

   the many are kept in ignorance while the few prosper

many Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing many

• as many
• good (great) many
• in so many words
• irons in the fire, too many
• so many
• too many cooks spoil the broth

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Synonym Usage

Many, innumerable, manifold, numerous imply the presence or succession of a large number of units. Many is a popular and common word for this idea: many times. Numerous, a more formal word, refers to a great number or to very many units: letters too numerous to mention. Innumerable denotes a number that is beyond count or, more loosely, that is extremely difficult to count: the innumerable stars in the sky. Manifold implies not only that the number is large but also that there is variety or complexity.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overmany
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of many

First recorded before 900; Middle English mani, meni, Old English manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German manag, menig, Danish mange, Gothic manags

Explanation

If you have a great number of refrigerator magnets, you have many of them. Many means "a lot of items." Many can be traced back to the Welsh word mynych meaning "frequent." To get many of something, you do something frequently, or often, like having many miles on a car because you often drive it long distances. If you ask, "How many people will be at the party?" you want to know the number of guests who are expected. If the answer is "many," you know there will be numerous people, though you haven't been given an exact figure.

Example Sentences

The family’s companies have settled many accusations of environmental violations by agreeing to pay fines and invest in better pollution prevention without admitting or denying culpability.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

This includes sports apps, of which I have many.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2026

How many times do I have to pay to fix the same problem?

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

“As many data centers as we can sign, we can sell instantly,” Horton says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

She announces that while it’s not yet federal law, many states have put police reform measures on their ballots for the upcoming elections.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold