numerous

[noo-mer-uhs, nyoo-]

adjective

1. very many; being or existing in great quantity.

   numerous visits;

   numerous fish.

2. consisting of or comprising a great number of units or individuals.

   Recent audiences have been more numerous.

numerous

/ ˈnjuːmərəs /

adjective

1. being many

2. consisting of many units or parts

   a numerous collection

Other Word Forms

• numerously adverb
• numerousness noun
• numerosity noun
• overnumerous adjective
• overnumerously adverb
• overnumerousness noun
• supernumerous adjective
• supernumerously adverb
• supernumerousness noun
• unnumerous adjective
• unnumerously adverb
• unnumerousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of numerous¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin numerōsus “consisting of a great number, numerous,” equivalent to numer(us) number + -ōsus -ous

Synonym Study

See many.

Example Sentences

Complaints that the city and state failed to properly prepare for and respond to the Jan. 7 fire are already the subject of numerous lawsuits and a Republican-led inquiry by a U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Elsewhere, a stripe of lemon yellow radiates against an inky background, interrupted by numerous dark patches.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Africa's most populous country is embroiled in numerous conflicts that experts say have killed both Christians and Muslims without distinction.

Read more on Barron's

"This has never happened in more than 50 years of the program, despite numerous other government shutdowns," she said.

Read more on Barron's

The objects crossed the country numerous times before they found a permanent home.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• big 
• diverse 
• great 
• large 
• plentiful 
• various