a lot

idiom

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.

Origin

disputed origin

See lot.

Examples

SIMPLE

I like this song a lot.

CONTEXTUAL

She travels for work a lot, so she spends most of her time in airports.

COMPLEX

The author spent a lot of time researching historical archives to ensure the accuracy of her latest novel.

Last updated April 22, 2026