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many

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adverb, determiner, predeterminer, pronoun American English pronunciation: many /ˈmeni/ 
Word Forms
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comparativemore
superlativemost
Many can be used in the following ways:
as a determiner (followed by a plural noun): It happened many years ago. ♦ How many children do you have?
as a pronoun: "Did he write any other books?" "Not many." (followed by "of"): Many of you will be going on to college.
as a predeterminer (followed by the indefinite article "a" and a singular noun): We've played many a round of golf together.
as an adjective (after a word such as "the," "his," or "these," and followed by a noun): He said goodbye to his many friends.
as a noun in the phrase the many: The few who behave badly spoil the enjoyment of the many.
 
  1. a large number of people, things, places, etc.

    Did you get many responses to your advertisement?

    I haven't told many people that I am pregnant.

    I've been to their house many times.

    In many cases workers were being employed without a written contract.

    Dervla Murphy's latest book describes her many adventures in Nepal.

    The news will bring joy to many.

    many of:

    Many of the world's leading doctors have been trained here at the medical center.

    too many:

    There are too many rules and regulations.

    not very many (=only a few):

    Not very many companies can afford the high cost of introducing new technology.

    many a (=more than a few):

    No doubt she had many a tale to tell of the old days.

    so many:

    The scientists have been proven wrong so many times that people no longer believe them.

    a good many (=a fairly large number):

    We've lived here for a good many years.

    many many (=a very large number):

    It all happened many many years ago.

    a great many (=a very large number):

    He was asked a great many questions and answered them all.

    many hundreds/thousands/millions:

    Many thousands of animals died in the floods.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of many
    1. a.

      the many

       the majority of people

      I don't see why the many should suffer because of the few idiots who cause trouble.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of many

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of many. View British English definition of many.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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