lots

British  

/ lɒts /

plural noun

1. (often foll by of) great numbers or quantities

   lots of people

   to eat lots

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adverb

1. a great deal

2. (intensifier)

   the journey is lots quicker by train

Explanation

When you have lots of something, you have a large amount. When your dad asks how much ice cream you want in your bowl, you can answer, "Lots." In some cases, you can use the informal lots interchangeably with a lot, like when you promise your teacher you'll spend lots of time studying your spelling words. And if you're recovering nicely from the flu, you can say you feel lots better. Lots was originally used this way beginning around 1800, and even though it doesn't conform to formal English, we still use it lots today.

Example Sentences

Lots of consumers entered the super prime category during the pandemic when they received stimulus payments or cut back on spending, according to TransUnion, a credit-reporting firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

"Lots become quite poorly because pet shops aren't always up to scratch on their care."

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Lots needs to happen, but any success from Musk could bring a wave of new customers.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

“February was brutal because we thought we were in a buyer’s market. Lots of properties had been sitting since the fall,” said Ashley Moorhead, a lawyer who’d been shopping for homes since December.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

“Surgeons don’t have dependable schedules. Lots of times I broke promises. I guess that’s why it was hard to see you disappointed.”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

• oodles