# abundance

/əˈbəndəns/ (US) · /ɐbˈʌndəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abundance
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a large quantity

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The garden had an abundance of flowers that attracted many bees.
- 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. wealth and comfort

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- After years of hard work, the family finally lived in a state of abundance.
- The documentary explores the contrast between the abundance of the city's elite and the poverty of its rural outskirts.

### 3. scientific ratio

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- Scientists measured the abundance of different gases in the atmosphere.
- 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).

### 4. political ideology

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic

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

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

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

## Examples

- The region has an abundance of natural resources like oil and gas.
- The candidate promised that his economic policies would lead to an abundance of jobs for the local community.
- Political theorists often debate whether a society of abundance naturally leads to more cooperation or if it simply shifts the focus of competition toward social status.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.