Word
copious
Phoneticsco·pi·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkoʊpiəs/
UK/kˈəʊpɪəs/
Definition
adj. existing in very large amounts. You use this to describe having more than enough of something, like notes or food.
adj. abundant in supply or quantity; yielding something in large amounts.
Examples
“She took copious notes during the long lecture.”
“The harvest was copious this year, providing enough grain to feed the entire village through the winter.”
“Despite the copious evidence presented by the prosecution, the jury struggled to reach a unanimous verdict due to several procedural inconsistencies during the initial investigation.”
Examples
simple
“She took copious notes during the long lecture.”
contextual
“The harvest was copious this year, providing enough grain to feed the entire village through the winter.”
complex
“Despite the copious evidence presented by the prosecution, the jury struggled to reach a unanimous verdict due to several procedural inconsistencies during the initial investigation.”
Usage
Typically used to modify uncountable nouns like 'evidence', 'notes', or 'amounts'.
Real-World Examples
“Carmakers and their suppliers are industrial businesses that use copious amounts of energy, and prices in the UK are among the highest in Europe.” “But his sermon was promptly returned to him by the woman with copious criticism and notes for its improvement.” Etymology
From Middle English copious, from Latin copiosus, from copia (“abundance”), equivalent to co- + ops (“wealth”) + -osus (“full of”). By surface analysis, copy + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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