# plenty

/ˈpɫɛni/ (US) · /plˈɛnti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plenty
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. more than enough

pronoun · CEFR B1

enough or more than enough of something so that you do not need any more.

For teachers: a sufficient or abundant number or amount; functions as a pronoun representing a previously mentioned or understood noun.

- You don't need to buy more milk; we have plenty in the fridge.
- While some critics argued the evidence was thin, the prosecution insisted they had plenty to secure a conviction.

Usage: Often stands alone when the noun it refers to is already known.

### 3. very or sufficiently

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal · American English

used to mean 'very' or 'enough' to describe a quality.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'sufficiently'. Often precedes adjectives or other adverbs.

- That soup is plenty hot, so be careful not to burn your tongue.
- The manager made it plenty clear that any further tardiness would result in immediate disciplinary action.

Usage: Placed before an adjective to intensify the meaning.

Teaching tip: This adverbial use is very common in North American English but may sound overly casual or non-standard in formal British contexts.

## Examples

- Do not worry, we have plenty of time to finish.
- The host told the guests to help themselves because there was plenty of food in the kitchen.
- While the region once suffered from scarcity, the recent harvest has provided plenty for every household to survive the winter comfortably.

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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.