# many

/ˈmɛni/ (US) · /mˈɛni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/many
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. comparing numbers

determiner · CEFR A2

used with words like 'as' or 'so' to compare or emphasize a number.

For teachers: used in comparative or emphatic constructions such as 'as many as' or 'so many' to indicate a specific or surprising quantity.

- I don't have as many books as you do.
- The stadium was packed with so many fans that the local authorities had to close the surrounding streets for safety.

Usage: Commonly appears in the patterns 'as many as', 'so many', and 'too many'.

### 3. a large number of people/things

pronoun · CEFR A2

a large number of people or things, used without naming them again.

For teachers: functions as a pronoun representing a large, indefinite number of people or things previously mentioned or understood.

- Some students passed the test, but many failed.
- While a few critics praised the film's visual style, many found the plot to be derivative and poorly paced.

Usage: Takes a plural verb.

### 4. the majority of people

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the majority of people in a society.

For teachers: the great majority of people; the masses or the general population.

- The needs of the many should come before the needs of the few.
- The policy was designed to benefit the many rather than protecting the interests of a small, wealthy elite.

Usage: Usually preceded by 'the'.

## Examples

- How many tickets do you need?
- There weren't many people at the concert because of the bad weather.
- While many are called to leadership, few possess the unique combination of empathy and foresight required to excel in the role over the long term.

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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.