Idiom idiom
a lot
Meaning
You use 'a lot' to mean 'very much' or 'often'. It can also be used to talk about a large number or amount of something.
Examples
“I like this song a lot.”
“She travels for work a lot, so she spends most of her time in airports.”
“The author spent a lot of time researching historical archives to ensure the accuracy of her latest novel.”
Origin
From Old English *hlot*, first recorded as a term for an object used to determine someone's share of land or goods by chance. The word passed through Middle English *lot* before arriving at the modern adverbial and noun forms.
Last updated April 22, 2026