Word
multitude
Phoneticsmul·ti·tude, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈməɫtəˌtud/
UK/mˈʌltɪtjˌuːd/
Definitions
01a large number
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a very large number of things or people.
n. a great number or an indefinite large quantity of something. Often used in the phrase 'a multitude of'.
“The new law created a multitude of problems for small business owners.”
“The researcher faced a multitude of logistical challenges while attempting to coordinate the international study across four different time zones.”
Usage
Commonly functions as a countable noun followed by the preposition 'of'.
02the masses
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Literary · Formal
n. a large group of people, or the general public.
n. the mass of ordinary people; the populace. Usually preceded by the definite article.
“The leader spoke from the balcony to the gathered multitude below.”
“The philosopher argued that the needs of the multitude should always outweigh the desires of the ruling elite.”
Usage
Usually appears as 'the multitude' in a singular form to represent a collective group.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“But there are a multitude of other cosmic coincidences that may be equally necessary for life to develop and survive.” “Journal editors ask university professors to write reviews alongside a multitude of other professional responsibilities, and those requests often come at a quick clip.” Etymology
From Middle English multitude, multitud, multytude (“(great) amount or number of people or things; multitudinous”), borrowed from Old French multitude (“crowd of people; diversity, wide range”), or directly from its etymon Latin multitūdō (“great amount or number of people or things”), from multus (“many; much”) + -tūdō (suffix forming abstract nouns indicating a state or condition). The English word is analysable as multi- + -itude.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/multitude