much

[ muhch ]

adjective

, more, most.

1. great in quantity, measure, or degree:

   too much cake.

noun

1. a great quantity, measure, or degree:

   Much of his research was unreliable.

2. a great, important, or notable thing or matter:

   The house is not much to look at.

adverb

, more, most.

1. to a great extent or degree; greatly; far:

   to talk too much; much heavier.

2. nearly, approximately, or about:

   This is much like the others.

3. Slang. (used after an adjective, noun, or verb to form a question that comments on someone’s intense feelings or extreme actions in a way that is critical, sarcastic, teasing, etc.): Geeking out much?

   Jealous much?

   Geeking out much?

much

/ mʌtʃ /

determiner

1. 1. usually used with a negative a great quantity or degree of

      there isn't much honey left

   2. ( as pronoun )

      much has been learned from this

2. a bit much informal.
   rather excessive
3. as much
   exactly that

   I suspected as much when I heard

4. make much of
   See make of
5. not much of
   not to any appreciable degree or extent

   he's not much of an actor really

6. not up to much informal.
   of a low standard

   this beer is not up to much

7. think much of
   used with a negative to have a high opinion of

   I don't think much of his behaviour

adverb

1. considerably

   they're much better now

2. practically; nearly (esp in the phrase much the same )
3. usually used with a negative often; a great deal

   it doesn't happen much in this country

4. much as or as much as
   even though; although

   much as I'd like to, I can't come

adjective

1. predicative; usually used with a negative impressive or important

   this car isn't much

Word History and Origins

Origin of much¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English muche, moche, shortened variant of muchel, mochel, Old English mycel; replacing Middle English miche(l), Old English micel “great, much” ( mickle ), cognate with Old Norse mikill, Gothic mikils, Greek mégal-, expanded stem of mégas “great”

Word History and Origins

Origin of much¹

Old English mycel; related to Old English micel great, Old Saxon mikil, Gothic mikils; compare also Latin magnus, Greek megas

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make much of,
   1. to treat, represent, or consider as of great importance:

      to make much of trivial matters.

   2. to treat with great consideration; show fondness for; flatter.
2. much as,
   1. almost the same as:

      We need exercise, much as we need nourishment.

   2. however much:

      Much as she wanted to stay at the party, she had to leave.

3. not so much, Informal. not ( def 3 ).
4. too much, Slang.
   1. excellent; great:

      His band is too much, especially live in concert.

   2. overwhelming or intolerable:

      His memories of the life they had together were just too much.

   3. outrageous; extreme:

      She's too much—but so hilarious!

More idioms and phrases containing much

• as much
• as much as
• make much of
• not miss a trick (much)
• not think much of
• pretty much
• so much
• so much for
• so much the better
• (much) sought after
• take it (just so much)
• take on (too much)
• too much of a good thing
• without so much as

Example Sentences

However much we gossip about heterosexual couples with large age gaps, we at least refrain from calling them sex offenders.

From The Daily Beast

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.

From The Daily Beast

Her style, much like her diminutive nickname, is best described as “Hamptons twee”—preppy and peppy.

From The Daily Beast

As far as I can tell, this magazine spent as much time making fun of French politicians as it did of Muslims or Islam.

From The Daily Beast

Much of the media coverage around eating disorders surrounds celebrities and models.

From The Daily Beast

You would not think it too much to set the whole province in flames so that you could have your way with this wretched child.

From Project Gutenberg

Edna did not reveal so much as all this to Madame Ratignolle that summer day when they sat with faces turned to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

He was too drowsy to hold the thought more than a moment in his mind, much less to reflect upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

In the drawing-room things went on much as they always do in country drawing-rooms in the hot weather.

From Project Gutenberg

I hate to be long at my toilette at any time; but to delay much in such a matter while travelling is folly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• a great deal
• considerably
• exceptionally
• extremely
• frequently
• highly
• indeed
• often
• regularly
• very