abundance

[uh-buhn-duhns]

noun

1. an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply.

   an abundance of grain.

   Synonyms: plenteousness, copiousness
   Antonyms: scarcity

2. overflowing fullness.

   abundance of the heart.

   Synonyms: generosity

3. affluence; wealth.

   the enjoyment of abundance.

4. Physics, Chemistry.,  the number of atoms of one isotope of an element divided by the total number of atoms in a mixture of the isotopes.

abundance

/ əˈbʌndəns /

noun

1. a copious supply; great amount

2. fullness or benevolence

   from the abundance of my heart

3. degree of plentifulness

4. chem the extent to which an element or ion occurs in the earth's crust or some other specified environment: often expressed in parts per million or as a percentage

5. physics the ratio of the number of atoms of a specific isotope in a mixture of isotopes of an element to the total number of atoms present: often expressed as a percentage

   the abundance of neon-22 in natural neon is 8.82 per cent

6. Also called: abondance. a call in solo whist undertaking to make nine tricks

7. affluence

Other Word Forms

• preabundance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin abundantia. See abundant, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundance¹

C14: via Old French from Latin abundantia, from abundāre to _abound

Synonym Study

See plenty.

Example Sentences

Their return to Exmoor was timed so that the animals could "take advantage of the local abundance of wild autumn fruits", a spokesperson said.

From BBC

“I’ve been briefed on the ongoing incident outside of City Hall, which is currently being evacuated out of an abundance of caution,” L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

The takeover of the Premier League club, the investment in boxing and the creation of the breakaway golf tournament were met with an abundance of scrutiny.

From BBC

There’s an abundance of small slabs, simple epitaphs like Our Baby.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Terry later described the project as a "tremendous release", and the Royal Academy called it a "pop building, through its sheer abundance of metaphor".

From BBC

Related Words

• affluence 
• bounty 
• myriad 
• plenty 
• plethora 
• profusion 
• prosperity 
• riches 
• wealth