many
[ men-ee ]
/ ˈmɛn i /
|
adjective, more, most.
constituting or forming a large number; numerous: many people.
noting each one of a large number (usually followed by a or an): For many a day it rained.
noun
a large or considerable number of persons or things: A good many of the beggars were blind.
the many, the greater part of humankind.
pronoun
many persons or things: Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.
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Nearby words
Origin of many
before 900; Middle English mani, meni, Old English manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German manag, menig, Danish mange, Gothic manags
SYNONYMS FOR many
1 multifarious, multitudinous, myriad; divers, sundry, various. 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.
Related formso·ver·man·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for many a
many
/ (ˈmɛnɪ) /
determiner
(sometimes preceded by a great or a good)
- a large number ofmany coaches; many times
- (as pronoun; functioning as plural)many are seated already
(foll by a, an, or another, and a singular noun) each of a considerable number ofmany a man
(preceded by as, too, that, etc)
- a great number ofas many apples as you like; too many clouds to see
- (as pronoun; functioning as plural)I have as many as you
noun
the many the majority of mankind, esp the common peoplethe many are kept in ignorance while the few prosper Compare few (def. 7)
Word Origin for many
Old English manig; related to Old Frisian manich, Middle Dutch menech, Old High German manag
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
Idioms and Phrases with many a (1 of 2)
many a
Numerous ones, as in Many a little boy has wanted to become a fireman. This adjective is always used with a singular noun, a usage dating from about 1200. Also see many is the.
Idioms and Phrases with many a (2 of 2)
many
In addition to the idioms beginning with many
- many a
- many hands make light work
- many happy returns
- many is the
also see:
- as many
- good (great) many
- in so many words
- irons in the fire, too many
- so many
- too many cooks spoil the broth
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.