ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abundance

n.
US //əˈbəndəns// UK //ɐbˈʌndəns// abun·dance
  1. 1 a large quantity (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a very large amount of something, often more than enough.

    a great or plentiful amount; a profusion of something. Often used with the preposition 'of'.

    Example

    The garden had an abundance of flowers that attracted many bees.

    Example

    The region is known for its abundance of natural resources, which has fueled rapid industrial growth over the last decade.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'an abundance of [noun]'.
  2. 2 wealth and comfort (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    having a lot of money, food, and resources to live comfortably.

    the state of being affluent or having a plentiful supply of resources. Often carries a connotation of prosperity.

    Example

    After years of hard work, the family finally lived in a state of abundance.

    Example

    The documentary explores the contrast between the abundance of the city's elite and the poverty of its rural outskirts.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 scientific ratio (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the amount of a specific thing found in a sample compared to other things.

    the relative frequency or amount of a particular substance or species within a given environment or sample.

    Example

    Scientists measured the abundance of different gases in the atmosphere.

    Example

    The study tracked the relative abundance of various bird species to determine the health of the local ecosystem.

    Usage

    Frequently used in chemistry (isotopic abundance) and ecology (species abundance).
  2. 4 political ideology (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Politics

    a political belief that focuses on building more housing, energy, and transport to help everyone.

    a contemporary political framework, often termed 'abundance agenda', that prioritises increasing the supply of essential goods and infrastructure.

    Example

    The candidate campaigned on a platform of abundance to lower the cost of living.

    Example

    Proponents of abundance argue that deregulation is necessary to accelerate the construction of clean energy projects.

    Usage

    Usually refers to the 'abundance agenda' or 'supply-side' policy discussions.
    • supply side progressivism
Origin

From Middle English abundaunce, habaundance, from Old French habundance, abondance, from Latin abundantia (“fullness, plenty”), from abundō (“to overflow”). Equivalent to abound + -ance. Displaced Old English geniht (“abundance, plenty”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference