| / English Dictionary |
MUCH
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A great amount or extent
Example:
they did much for humanity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("much" is a kind of...):
large indefinite amount; large indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is above the average in size or magnitude)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity or degree or extent
Example:
much grain is in storage
Classified under:
Similar:
overmuch (very great in quantity; overabundant)
some (relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent)
such (of so extreme a degree or extent)
incalculable; untold (too much to be measured)
Also:
more; more than ((comparative of 'much' used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree)
Antonym:
little ((quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with 'a') at least some)
Derivation:
muchness (greatness of quantity or measure or extent)
III. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(degree adverb used before a noun phrase) for all practical purposes but not completely
Example:
practically everything in Hinduism is the manifestation of a god
Synonyms:
much; practically
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
Very
Example:
he was much annoyed
Classified under:
Sense 3
Meaning:
To a great degree or extent
Example:
she's much better now
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 4
Meaning:
To a very great degree or extent
Example:
this would help a great deal
Synonyms:
a good deal; a great deal; a lot; lots; much; very much
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 5
Meaning:
Frequently or in great quantities
Example:
I don't travel much
Synonyms:
a great deal; much; often
Classified under:
Adverbs
Context examples:
The effect is most pronounced near sunset, when light from the sun passes through a longer path in the atmosphere than it does at mid-day.
(Sunset in Mars' Gale Crater, NASA)
These negative effects became even more negative with time.
(Shrinking habitats have adverse effects on world ecosystems, NSF)
"I've told Missis often my opinion about the child, and Missis agreed with me. She's an underhand little thing: I never saw a girl of her age with so much cover."
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Because snow and ice reflect more light than vegetation or water, the spring is brighter than the summer or autumn, when there is much less snow and ice.
(Earthshine, NASA)
More than 1,500 people died when the vessel sank partway between Southampton, England and New York, United States.
(UK documentary claims fire weakened RMS Titanic, Wikinews)
More ACTH is made during times of stress.
(ACTH, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
If we can persuade your father to all this, said Lady Russell, looking over her paper, much may be done.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Dead zones are a major water quality issue with an estimated total of more than 550 occurring annually worldwide.
(2015 Gulf of Mexico dead zone ‘above average’, NOAA)
The death of Sir Danvers was, to his way of thinking, more than paid for by the disappearance of Mr. Hyde.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Now, as she had not been asked to the feast she was very angry, and scolded the king and queen very much, and set to work to take her revenge.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
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