plural
adj. · n.-
1 more than one (adj.) B1 Intermediaterelating to more than one person or thing.
denoting more than one person, thing, or instance; in English grammar, it refers to the form of a word used for any number other than one.
ExampleThe word 'cats' is the plural form of the word 'cat'.
ExampleThe student struggled to remember the irregular plural forms of certain nouns, such as 'children' and 'phenomena'.
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2 diverse or multiple (adj.) C1 Advanced Academic Formalmade up of many different groups, ideas, or parts.
relating to a system or society that contains different groups or diverse elements; pluralistic.
ExampleWe live in a plural society where many different cultures exist together.
ExampleThe philosopher argued that a plural approach to ethics is necessary to accommodate the diverse values found in modern democracies.
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3 the word form (n.) B1 Intermediatethe form of a word that you use when you are talking about more than one thing.
a word or grammatical form used to denote more than one referent.
ExampleIn English, most nouns form their plural by adding an 's' at the end.
ExampleThe professor noted that some collective nouns can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the intended emphasis.
PitfallWhat is the plural for 'child'?What is the plural of 'child'?When asking for the grammatical form, use the preposition 'of'.
From Middle English plurelle, from Old French plurel (“plural”), Borrowed from Latin plūrālis (“of or belonging to more than one, belonging to many”, adjective), from plūs, plūris (“more”) + -ālis.