plurality
- 01 C1 Advanced
the state or fact of being more than one.
the state or condition of being plural; the quality of involving more than one instance or entity.
Simple“The teacher explained the plurality of the noun by adding an 's' to the end.”
In context“The philosopher argued that the plurality of truths in modern society makes absolute certainty impossible to achieve.”
SynonymspluralnessmultiplicityAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
getting more votes than anyone else, but not more than half of all the votes.
the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority.
Simple“He won the election with a plurality of 40 percent in a three-way race.”
In context“In a multi-party system, a candidate often secures a seat with a mere plurality, leaving the majority of the electorate unrepresented by their first choice.”
Synonymsrelative majorityAntonymsabsolute majority - 03 C1 Advanced
a large number of different people or things.
a large number or variety of people, things, or entities existing together.
Simple“The city is home to a plurality of cultures and languages.”
In context“The researcher noted a plurality of factors that contributed to the economic collapse, rather than a single cause.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
the condition where one person feels they have more than one identity or personality.
the condition of experiencing or displaying multiple distinct personalities or selves within a single body.
Simple“The patient described their experience of plurality as having several voices in their head.”
In context“Modern clinical discussions regarding plurality often distinguish between pathological dissociation and healthy forms of multi-faceted identity.”
Synonyms
“Wasserman Schultz had faced criticisms for running in a district that has a plurality of Black voters and has long been represented by a Black Democrat.”
From plural + -ity, from Middle English pluralite, from Old French pluralité (“multitude, state of being plural”), from Latin plūrālitās.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.