Word
majority
Phoneticsma·jor·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/məˈdʒɔɹəti/
UK/mədʒˈɒɹɪtˌi/
Definitions
01more than half
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. more than half of a total number or amount.
n. a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total. Often used with 'of' and followed by a plural noun.
日本語:大半※
Español:mayoría
“The majority of the students in the class decided to go on the field trip.”
“The vast majority of respondents expressed a preference for remote work, citing the lack of a commute as the primary benefit.”
Usage
When followed by a plural noun, the verb is typically plural in British English and often singular in American English.
Pitfall
The majority of the work are finished.
The majority of the work is finished.
When 'majority' refers to an uncountable noun like 'work', use a singular verb. Use a plural verb only when referring to a group of people or countable things.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02election gap
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the number of votes or seats by which one person or party wins an election.
n. the margin by which a candidate or party wins an election, or the number of seats held by a government exceeding those of the opposition.
“She won the local election with a majority of over two thousand votes.”
“The government's slim majority made it difficult to pass controversial legislation without the support of smaller parties.”
03legal adulthood
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the age when a person is legally considered an adult.
n. the status or age of legal adulthood, at which a person becomes legally responsible for their own actions.
日本語:成年※
Español:mayoría de edad
“In many countries, young people reach their majority at the age of eighteen.”
“Upon attaining his majority, the heir was finally granted full control over the family estate and its various investments.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'attain one's majority' or 'age of majority'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “majority” in context.
Verb
01. command a majority
“The ruling party no longer commands a majority in parliament.”
verb + noun
02. form a majority
“The two smaller parties joined forces to form a majority in the council.”
verb + noun
03. win a majority
“She managed to win a majority in the local elections despite the low turnout.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. vast majority
“The vast majority of students passed the exam with flying colors.”
adj + noun
05. overwhelming majority
“The proposal was accepted by an overwhelming majority of the board members.”
adj + noun
06. slim majority
“The government only won the vote by a slim majority of three seats.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. majority of the population
“The majority of the population lives in urban areas rather than the countryside.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. in the majority
“Those who support the new environmental policy are currently in the majority.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“But the majority of the world's stock markets are unlikely to see that level of violent moves as they include a wider mix of companies, he adds.” “Its analysis of DfT data suggests the majority of people using hired e-scooters are male and under 35.” Etymology
From Middle French maiorité, from Medieval Latin maiōritātem, accusative of Latin maiōritās, from Latin maior (“greater”). Morphologically major + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
02. vast majority
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/majority
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0