You use many to indicate that you are talking about a large number of people or things.
I don't think many people would argue with that.
Not many films are made in Finland.
Do you keep many books and papers and memorabilia?
Many holidaymakers had avoided the worst of the delays by consulting tourist offices.
Acting is definitely a young person's profession in many ways.
Many is also a pronoun.
We stood up, thinking through the possibilities. There weren't many.
Many is also a quantifier.
So, once we have cohabited, why do many of us feel the need to get married? [+ of]
It seems there are not very many of them left in the sea. [+ of]
In many of these neighborhoods a lot of people don't have telephones.
Many is also an adjective.
Among his many hobbies was the breeding of fine horses.
The possibilities are many.
Synonyms: numerous, various, varied, countless More Synonyms of many
2. adverb
You use many in expressions such as 'not many', 'not very many', and 'too many' when replying to questions about numbers of things or people.
'How many of the songs that dealt with this theme became hit songs?'—'Not very many.'. [+ of]
How many years is it since we've seen each other? Too many, anyway.
3. predeterminer
You use many followed by 'a' and a noun to emphasize that there are a lot of people or things involved in something.
[emphasis]
Many a mother tries to act out her unrealized dreams through her daughter.
I have spent many a happy hour in the hills.
4. determiner
You use many after 'how' to ask questions about numbers or quantities. You use many after 'how' in reported clauses to talk about numbers or quantities.
How many years have you been here?
No-one knows how many people have been killed since the war began.
Many is also a pronoun.
How many do you need?
5. determiner
You use many with 'as' when you are comparing numbers of things or people.
I've always entered as many photo competitions as I can.
We produced ten times as many tractors as the United States.
Many is also a pronoun.
Let the child try on as many as she likes.
6. pronoun
You use many to mean 'many people'.
Iris Murdoch was regarded by many as a supremely good and serious writer.
Synonyms: a lot, lots [informal], plenty, a mass More Synonyms of many
7. singular noun
The many means a large group of people, especially the ordinary people in society, considered as separate from a particular small group.
The printing press gave power to a few to change the world for the many.
He wanted to create a society of opportunity where benefits became available to themany.
8.
See as many as
9.
See a good many/a great many
10. many happy returns
11. in so many words
usage note: You only use many to talk about things that can be counted. They owned many cars. You should use much if you want to talk about things that cannot be counted. ...too much water.
English Easy Learning GrammarDeterminersDeterminers are words that make the reference of nouns more specific. If I say ‘thiscar’ it is clear that I mean a particular car which is near me. If ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarIndefinite pronounsThe indefinite pronouns are used when you do not know or do not need to say preciselywho or what you are referring to. The noun phrase which they substitute ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarNoun phrases with several determinersMost noun phrases contain only one determiner or none at all, but if there are more,they follow a definite order. Determiners can be divided into four ... Read more
many in British English
(ˈmɛnɪ)
determiner
1. (sometimes preceded bya great or a good)
a.
a large number of
many coaches
many times
b.
(as pronoun; functioning as plural)
many are seated already
2. (foll bya, an, or another, and a singular noun)
each of a considerable number of
many a man
3. (preceded byas, too, that, etc)
a.
a great number of
as many apples as you like
too many clouds to see
b.
(as pronoun; functioning as plural)
I have as many as you
noun
4. the many
See also more, most
Word origin
Old English manig; related to Old Frisian manich, Middle Dutch menech, Old High German manag
many in American English
(ˈmɛni)
adjectiveWord forms: more or most
1.
consisting of some large, indefinite number (of persons or things); numerous
2.
relatively numerous (preceded by as, too, etc.)
plural noun
3.
a large number (of persons or things)
pronoun
4.
many persons or things
▶ USAGE: The idiom many a (or an, another) followed by a singular noun or pronoun is equivalent to many followed by the corresponding plural (e.g., “many a man has tried” means the same thing as “many men have tried”)
Idioms:
a good many
a great many
as many
be (one) too many for
so many
the many
Word origin
ME < OE manig, akin to Ger manch (OHG manag) < IE base *menegh-, many, richly > Sans maghā-, gift, OIr menicc, abundant
More idioms containing
many
too many cooks
there is many a slip twixt cup and lip
Examples of 'many' in a sentence
many
There are so many options available that opponents feel emotionally crushed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Where do we find that many good head teachers?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is not known how many members the group has.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She spent many hours researching funding online.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We have too many people getting a free ride.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So why have so many traders got away with charging more?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their indestructible qualities mean they are often used in many a park.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We want this message to reach as many people as possible and save lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are tackling a problem far larger than many realise.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Various vintages are available from many different sources around the country.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
There is also no doubt many dogs show grief when their owners die.
The Sun (2009)
They have helped many other good causes.
The Sun (2012)
Too many groups had been stirring up revolutionary expectations.
Christianity Today (2000)
Why was there no one to help us after so many hours?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We have got thousands of people in many villages and towns behind us.
The Sun (2015)
This too is something which many women have begun to resist.
Mansfield, Patricia Why Am I Afraid to be Assertive? (1994)
So many cheats get away with that.
The Sun (2013)
There are many companies large and small you can buy replacement sofa covers from.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a vital resource for many members of society who are often vulnerable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Protests against such a system of police surveillance have been made from many parts of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We have adapted to many changes over the years but it is hard.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
No-one would actually use that many acronyms.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She became determined to warn as many people as possible.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
You compare your numbers to how many friends other people have.
The Sun (2011)
She said that she had decided to speak out now because there had been 'too many lies '.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
many
British English: many /ˈmɛnɪ/ DETERMINER
If there are many people or things, there are a lot of them.
Does he have many friends?
American English: many
Arabic: كَثِيرً
Brazilian Portuguese: muitos
Chinese: 许多的
Croatian: mnogi
Czech: mnoho
Danish: mange
Dutch: veel
European Spanish: muchos
Finnish: moni
French: nombreux
German: viele
Greek: πολλοί
Italian: molti
Japanese: 多くの
Korean: 많은
Norwegian: mye
Polish: liczni
European Portuguese: muitos
Romanian: mulți
Russian: много
Latin American Spanish: muchos
Swedish: många
Thai: มากมาย
Turkish: çok
Ukrainian: багато
Vietnamese: nhiều
British English: many /ˈmɛnɪ/ PRONOUN
Many is used to refer to a large number of people or things.
We thought about the possibilities. There weren't many.
American English: many
Arabic: كَثِيرٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: muitos
Chinese: 许多
Croatian: mnogi
Czech: mnoho
Danish: mange
Dutch: veel
European Spanish: muchos
Finnish: moni
French: beaucoup
German: viele
Greek: πολλοί
Italian: molti
Japanese: 多数
Korean: 다수
Norwegian: mange
Polish: wiele
European Portuguese: muitos
Romanian: multe
Russian: много
Latin American Spanish: muchos
Swedish: många
Thai: คนหรือสิ่งของจำนวนมาก
Turkish: çok
Ukrainian: багато
Vietnamese: nhiều
Chinese translation of 'many'
many
(ˈmɛnɪ)
adj
(= a lot of)[people, things, ideas]许(許)多的 (xǔduō de)
⇒ Many people have been killed.许多人被杀害。 (Xǔduō rén bèi shāhài.)
⇒ Not many films are made in Finland.芬兰出品的电影不是很多。 (Fēnlán chūpǐn de diànyǐng bù shì hěn duō.)
pron
许(許)多的 (xǔduō de)
⇒ Some find jobs, but many are forced to beg.一些人找到了工作，但许多人被迫去乞讨。 (Yīxiē rén zhǎodàole gōngzuò, dàn xǔduō rén bèipò qù qǐtǎo.)
how many (direct question) 多少 (duōshao)
⇒ How many cigarettes do you smoke a day?你一天抽多少支香烟？ (Nǐ yī tiān chōu duōshao zhī xiāngyān?)
(indirect question) 多少 (duoshǎo)
⇒ No-one knows how many people were killed.没有人知道有多少人被杀害。 (Méiyǒu rén zhīdào yǒu duōshao rén bèi shāhài.)
as many as you can (maximum amount) 尽(盡)可能多 (jǐn kěnéng duō)
twice as many (as) (comparison) (是 ... 的)两(兩)倍 ((shì ... de) liǎng bèi)
⇒ We produce ten times as many tractors as the United States.我们生产的拖拉机是美国的10倍。 (Wǒmen shēngchǎn de tuōlājī shì Měiguó de shí bèi.)
as many as ten thousand people (emphatic) 一万(萬)人之多 (yīwàn rén zhī duō)
a good or great many相当(當)多 (xiāngdāng duō)
many a time许(許)多次 (xǔduō cì)
All related terms of 'many'
so many
那么(麼)多 nàme duō
how many
( direct question ) 多少 duōshao ⇒ How many cigarettes do you smoke a day? → 你一天抽多少支香烟？ Nǐ yī tiān chōu duōshao zhī xiāngyān?
many people
许(許)多人 xǔduō rén
many a time
许(許)多次 xǔduō cì
much/many more
多得多 duō de duō
in many instances
很多情况(況)下 hěn duō qíngkuàng xià
in so many words
直截了当(當)地 zhíjié-liǎodàng de
as many as you can
( maximum amount ) 尽(盡)可能多 jǐn kěnéng duō
as much/many as ...
和 ... 一样(樣) hé ... yīyàng
a good or great many
相当(當)多 xiāngdāng duō
in some/many respects
在某些/许(許)多方面 zài mǒuxiē/xǔduō fāngmiàn
of many years' standing
持续(續)多年的 chíxù duō nián de
how much milk/many people?
有多少奶/人？ yǒu duōshǎo nǎi/rén?
many thanks, thanks a lot
多谢(謝) duōxiè
as many as ten thousand people
( emphatic ) 一万(萬)人之多 yīwàn rén zhī duō
as much money/many books as ...
同 ... 一样(樣)多的钱(錢)/书(書) tóng ... yīyàng duō de qián/shū
那儿(兒)有许(許)多奇异(異)的物种(種) nàr yǒu xǔduō qíyì de wùzhǒng
I didn't buy quite as many as last time
我没(沒)买(買)上次那么(麼)多 wǒ méi mǎi shàng cì nàme duō
twice as many (as)
( comparison ) (是 ... 的)两(兩)倍 (shì ... de) liǎng bèi ⇒ We produce ten times as many tractors as the United States. → 我们生产的拖拉机是美国的10倍。 Wǒmen shēngchǎn de tuōlājī shì Měiguó de shí bèi.
many happy returns (of the day)!
生日快乐(樂)！ shēngrì kuàilè!
(adjective)
Definition
a large number of
He had many books and papers on the subject.
Synonyms
numerous
Such crimes were just as numerous then as they are today.
She made numerous attempts, but could never beat the world record.
various
The methods employed are many and various.
varied
a varied range of dishes suitable for vegetarians
countless
She brought joy to countless people through her music.
abundant
There is an abundant supply of labour.
myriad
pop culture in all its myriad forms
innumerable
He has invented innumerable excuses and told endless lies.
sundry
copious
He drank copious quantities of tea and coffee.
manifold (formal)
The difficulties are manifold.
umpteen (informal)
He has produced umpteen books, plays and television series.
profuse
This plant produces profuse bright-blue flowers.
multifarious
a composite of multifarious religions and people
multitudinous
She is a person of multitudinous talents.
multifold
divers (archaic)
(pronoun)
Definition
a number of people or things, esp. a large one
Many had avoided the delays after receiving text alerts.
Synonyms
a lot
lots (informal)
plenty
a mass
scores
piles (informal)
tons (informal)
heaps (informal)
large numbers
a multitude
umpteen (informal)
a horde
a thousand and one
a gazillion (informal)
phrase
See the many
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abundant
There is an abundant supply of labour.
Synonyms
plentiful,
full,
rich,
filled,
liberal,
generous,
lavish,
ample,
infinite,
overflowing,
exuberant,
teeming,
copious,
inexhaustible,
bountiful,
luxuriant,
profuse,
rank,
well-provided,
well-supplied,
two a penny,
thick on the ground,
bounteous,
plenteous
in the sense of copious
Definition
existing or produced in large quantities
He drank copious quantities of tea and coffee.
Synonyms
abundant,
liberal,
generous,
lavish,
full,
rich,
extensive,
ample,
overflowing,
plentiful,
exuberant,
bountiful,
luxuriant,
profuse,
bounteous,
superabundant,
plenteous
in the sense of countless
Definition
too many to count
She brought joy to countless people through her music.
Synonyms
innumerable,
legion,
infinite,
myriad,
untold,
limitless,
incalculable,
immeasurable,
numberless,
uncounted,
multitudinous,
endless,
measureless
Synonyms of 'many'
many
Explore 'many' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of divers
Synonyms
various,
some,
many,
different,
several,
varied,
numerous,
sundry,
manifold (formal),
multifarious
in the sense of innumerable
Definition
too many to be counted
He has invented innumerable excuses and told endless lies.
Synonyms
countless,
many,
numerous,
infinite,
myriad,
untold,
incalculable,
numberless,
unnumbered,
multitudinous,
beyond number
in the sense of manifold
Definition
numerous and varied
The difficulties are manifold.
Synonyms
numerous,
many,
various,
varied,
multiple,
diverse,
multiplied,
diversified,
abundant,
assorted,
copious,
multifarious,
multitudinous,
multifold
in the sense of multifarious
Definition
many and varied
a composite of multifarious religions and people
Synonyms
diverse,
many,
different,
varied,
numerous,
multiple,
legion,
diversified,
miscellaneous,
sundry,
variegated,
manifold (formal),
multitudinous,
multiform
in the sense of multitudinous
She is a person of multitudinous talents.
Synonyms
numerous,
many,
considerable,
countless,
legion,
infinite,
abounding,
abundant,
myriad,
teeming,
innumerable,
copious,
manifold (formal),
profuse
in the sense of myriad
Definition
innumerable
pop culture in all its myriad forms
Synonyms
innumerable,
countless,
untold,
incalculable,
immeasurable,
a thousand and one,
multitudinous
in the sense of profuse
Definition
plentiful or abundant
This plant produces profuse bright-blue flowers.
Synonyms
plentiful,
ample,
prolific,
abundant,
overflowing,
teeming,
copious,
bountiful,
luxuriant
in the sense of umpteen
Definition
very many
He has produced umpteen books, plays and television series.