many
Americanadjective
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constituting or forming a large number; numerous.
many people.
- Synonyms:
- various, sundry, divers, myriad, multitudinous, multifarious
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noting each one of a large number (usually followed by a oran ).
For many a day it rained.
noun
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a large or considerable number of persons or things.
A good many of the beggars were blind.
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the many, the greater part of humankind.
pronoun
determiner
-
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a large number of
many coaches
many times
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( as pronoun; functioning as plural )
many are seated already
-
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each of a considerable number of
many a man
-
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a great number of
as many apples as you like
too many clouds to see
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( as pronoun; functioning as plural )
I have as many as you
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noun
Synonym Usage
Many, innumerable, manifold, numerous imply the presence or succession of a large number of units. Many is a popular and common word for this idea: many times. Numerous, a more formal word, refers to a great number or to very many units: letters too numerous to mention. Innumerable denotes a number that is beyond count or, more loosely, that is extremely difficult to count: the innumerable stars in the sky. Manifold implies not only that the number is large but also that there is variety or complexity.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of many
First recorded before 900; Middle English mani, meni, Old English manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German manag, menig, Danish mange, Gothic manags
Explanation
If you have a great number of refrigerator magnets, you have many of them. Many means "a lot of items." Many can be traced back to the Welsh word mynych meaning "frequent." To get many of something, you do something frequently, or often, like having many miles on a car because you often drive it long distances. If you ask, "How many people will be at the party?" you want to know the number of guests who are expected. If the answer is "many," you know there will be numerous people, though you haven't been given an exact figure.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For many people in the U.S., this puts coverage out of reach.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
Japan is broadly sticking with its end of the bargain, but many projects are still on the drawing board.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
When Haas signed Ocon, his reputation was such that many were surprised they had taken him.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
In the wake of the midterm elections, how many people in this country are living in poverty or just barely above the poverty line?
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
“She was instrumental in saving the lives of many Americans and Filipinos. By her outstanding courage and bravery, Mrs. Guerrero made a distinct contribution to the cause of freedom,” Representative Morrison states.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
“This creates greater policy uncertainty for pharma in the months ahead, giving European governments more room to slow-play” those negotiations, according to Diederik Stadig, ING’s senior healthcare economist.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
“We feel more confident,” he added, and will continue to “play hardball to make sure we can remain in a relatively advantageous position.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Texas elected Gina Hinojosa over three-term Gov. Greg Abbott — the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor in more than three decades.
From Salon ● Nov. 4, 2026
After all, Piker ends 2026 more famous than he’s ever been before—which means he’s rarely been more hated.
From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026
If there is no one for the Japanese soldiers to fight, there’s no need for more violence.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
In Texas, home to roughly a quarter of the U.S. data-center capacity that is expected to come online by 2030, an upset win by Democratic Regina Hinojosa for the governor’s office drew the most attention.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Perhaps the most impressive showing by a former athlete was that of Iowa Democrat Josh Turek, who flipped a seat for the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
He’ll end up with the second most popular livestream of the midterms, beaten out only by NBC’s Steve Kornacki—the stakes are high.
From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026
Zverev has lost in each of his 10 most recent meetings with Sinner, who has not played since Wimbledon after injuring his knee and has subsequently dropped to number two in the rankings.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
It’s your life, sis; you gotta walk the path that feels most righteous to you,” Zora says.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
