 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | manig |
| |||||||||
man‧y S1 W1
1 a large number of people or things [≠ few; ↪ more, most, much]: 
Many people have to use a car to travel to work.I don't have many friends. She has lived in Spain for many years. Do you get many visitors? Some of the houses have bathrooms but many do not. His third novel is regarded by many (=a lot of people) as his best.
Many people have to use a car to travel to work.I don't have many friends.She has lived in Spain for many years.Do you get many visitors?Some of the houses have bathrooms but many do not.His third novel is regarded by many (=a lot of people) as his best. many of Many of our staff work part-time. There are plenty of bars, many of them serving excellent food.
Many of our staff work part-time.There are plenty of bars, many of them serving excellent food. the many people/things etc We should like to thank the many people who have written to us offering their support.
We should like to thank the many people who have written to us offering their support. a great many/a good many/very many (=a very large number) Most of the young men went off to the war, and a great many never came back. It all happened a good many years ago.
Most of the young men went off to the war, and a great many never came back.It all happened a good many years ago.2 used to ask or talk about how large a number or quantity is : How many sisters do you have? I didn't know how many tickets to buy.
how many
How many sisters do you have?I didn't know how many tickets to buy.3 a number that is equal to another number :
as many
as many (...) as Grandfather claimed to have as many medals as the general. There weren't as many people at the meeting as we had hoped.
Grandfather claimed to have as many medals as the general.There weren't as many people at the meeting as we had hoped. in as many days/weeks/games etc A great trip! We visited five countries in as many days (=in five days).
A great trip! We visited five countries in as many days (=in five days).4 used to emphasize how surprisingly large a number is : As many as 10,000 civilians are thought to have fled the area.
as many as 50/1000 etc
As many as 10,000 civilians are thought to have fled the area.5 a large number of people or things : Many a parent has had to go through this same painful process.
many a something
formalor
old-fashionedMany a parent has had to go through this same painful process.6 used to say that a particular thing has happened often : Many's the time we've had to borrow money in order to get through the month.
many's the time/day etc (that/when)
old-fashionedMany's the time we've had to borrow money in order to get through the month.7 to be drunk : Don't pay any attention to him - he's had one too many.
have had one too many
informalDon't pay any attention to him - he's had one too many.9 a very large group of people, especially the public in general : This war is another example of the few sacrificing their lives for the many.
the many
formalThis war is another example of the few sacrificing their lives for the many.➔ in as many words
at word1GRAMMAR
GRAMMAR 
Many is used mainly in questions and negative sentences • Were there many people at the party? • There weren't many people at the party. In other sentences, phrases like a lot of and plenty of are used instead • Slovakia has a lot of small towns (NOT Slovakia has many small towns). However, many can be used in formal English • Many politicians expressed concern about the high level of defence spending.Many can also be used after too, so, and as • There are too many mistakes in this work. • I didn't realize I had so many friends. • Bring as many people as you want.!! Do not use 'and' after many and before an adjective • There are not many interesting Sunday newspapers (NOT There are not many and interesting Sunday newspapers).
