amount

[ uh-mount ]

/ əˈmaʊnt /

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See synonyms for: amount / amounted / amounts on Thesaurus.com

noun

the sum total of two or more quantities or sums; aggregate.

the sum of the principal and interest of a loan.

quantity; measure: a great amount of resistance.

the full effect, value, or significance.

verb (used without object)

to total; add (usually followed by to): The repair bill amounts to $300.

to reach, extend, or be equal in number, quantity, effect, etc.; be equivalent (usually followed by to): It is stated differently but amounts to the same thing.

to develop into; become (usually followed by to): With his intelligence, he should amount to something when he grows up.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of amount

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb amounten, amunten, from Anglo-French amo(u)nter, amunter, Old French amonter literally, “to go up, ascend,” probably a- + monter; noun use of verb from early 18th century; see a-⁵, mount¹

words often confused with amount

The traditional distinction between amount and number is that amount is used with mass or uncountable nouns ( the amount of paperwork; the amount of energy ) and number with countable nouns ( a number of songs; a number of days ). Although objected to, the use of amount instead of number with countable nouns occurs in both speech and writing, especially when the noun can be considered as a unit or group ( the amount of people present; the amount of weapons ) or when it refers to money ( the amount of dollars paid; the amount of pennies in the till ).

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH amount

amount , number (see confusables note at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use amount in a sentence

But in this case, their anger could end up amounting to more than just an unintelligible rant on Twitter.
Democrats, You Better Get Angry or You’ll Lose Congress|Dean Obeidallah|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, the bank has a presence in over 20 countries, with assets amounting to $230 billion.
Britain’s KGB Sugar Daddy|Michael Weiss|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fusari's lawsuit contains six claims, five of them amounting to $5 million each, and a sixth amounting to $10 million.
Gaga's Enemy|Jacob Bernstein|March 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Swedish banks have similarly disastrous loans to the Baltic countries, amounting to 30 percent of its gross domestic product.
Europe's Can-Do Spirit|Katty Kay|March 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

We have claims upon us, amounting to several thousand pounds, which must be met within a week.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
An undertaker waited on a gentleman, with the bill for the burial of his wife, amounting to 67l.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
During the following week the Spaniards made three more night-attacks, the total killed and wounded Americans amounting to 10 men.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The consumption of coal was reduced to one-half, amounting in round numbers to a gain of 500l.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
She seemed to dread something; there was pain almost amounting to agony in the look she gave him.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking

British Dictionary definitions for amount

amount

/ (əˈmaʊnt) /

noun

extent; quantity; supply

the total of two or more quantities; sum

the full value, effect, or significance of something

a principal sum plus the interest on it, as in a loan

verb

(intr usually foll by to) to be equal or add up in effect, meaning, or quantity

Word Origin for amount

C13: from Old French amonter to go up, from amont upwards, from a to + mont mountain (from Latin mōns)

usage for amount

The use of a plural noun after amount of ( an amount of bananas; the amount of refugees) should be avoided: a quantity of bananas; the number of refugees

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

amount

Origin of amount

words often confused with amount

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH amount

Words related to amount

How to use amount in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for amount

Word Origin for amount

usage for amount