copious

[koh-pee-uhs]

adjective

1. large in quantity or number; abundant; plentiful.

   copious amounts of food.

   Synonyms: bountiful
   Antonyms: scarce, scanty

2. having or yielding an abundant supply.

   a copious larder;

   a copious harvest.

3. exhibiting abundance or fullness, as of thoughts or words.

   Antonyms: meager

copious

/ ˈkəʊpɪəs /

adjective

1. abundant; extensive in quantity

2. having or providing an abundant supply

3. full of words, ideas, etc; profuse

Other Word Forms

• copiously adverb
• copiousness noun
• copiosity noun
• overcopious adjective
• overcopiously adverb
• overcopiousness noun
• uncopious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of copious¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin cōpiōsus “plentiful, rich,” from cōpi(a) “wealth” (from co- co- + op(s) “plenty, power, support” + -ia -ia ) + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of copious¹

C14: from Latin cōpiōsus well supplied, from cōpia abundance, from ops wealth

Synonym Study

See ample.

Example Sentences

She said it had been "exceptionally" mild through the beginning of November but there had also been "copious" amount of rain.

Read more on BBC

Other Thanksgiving no-thank-yous include any red wine with copious tannins, alcohol and oak— especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With copious amounts of food available and an Ashes series to prepare for, the players had to keep fit.

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The copious, contradictory anecdotal evidence provided no consensus for a path forward.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This particular massage, with its copious use of oil, is less about targeting muscle groups than gliding through the inner workings of the body, without friction.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ample 
• extensive