plethora
- 01 C1 Advanced
a very large amount of something, especially more than you need.
an excessive amount or number; an abundance that may feel overwhelming.
Simple“The website offers a plethora of information, which can be a bit confusing.”
In context“The report cited a plethora of reasons for the project's failure, ranging from poor budget management to a lack of clear leadership.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'of' and a plural noun.
PitfallThere are a plethora of options. There is a plethora of options.Although it refers to many things, 'plethora' is a singular noun and usually takes a singular verb.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
a medical condition where there is too much blood in the body or a specific area, like the face.
a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood or other fluids; often manifests as a reddish complexion.
Simple“The doctor noticed a plethora in the patient's face, suggesting high blood pressure.”
In context“Clinical observation revealed a marked plethora, indicating a significant increase in total blood volume that required immediate diagnostic attention.”
SynonymshyperemiacongestionAntonyms
“These surveys yielded a plethora of astronomical discoveries, including that the universe is expanding.”
“Over the past year, we’ve seen a plethora of new announcements in a category labeled “world models,” and you’ll likely see more movement there in the coming months and years.”
From Late Latin plēthōra, from Ancient Greek πληθώρη (plēthṓrē, “fullness, satiety”), from πλήθω (plḗthō, “to be full”) + -η (-ē, nominal suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.