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much1 S1 W1
1 by a great amount
much better/greater/easier etc Henry's room is much bigger than mine. These shoes are much more comfortable.
Henry's room is much bigger than mine.These shoes are much more comfortable.2
a) used to ask or talk about the degree of a difference
b) used to ask or talk about how big an additional amount of something is
c) used to emphasize the difference you are mentioning
how much better/nicer/easier etc I was surprised to see how much better she was looking. How much better life would be if we returned to the values of the past!
I was surprised to see how much better she was looking.How much better life would be if we returned to the values of the past!3 used to talk about a strong feeling or something that is done often Thank you very much!
how/however much You know how much I care about you. I think you have to accept the pain, however much it hurts.
You know how much I care about you.I think you have to accept the pain, however much it hurts.Thank you very much!4
not ... much
a) only a little or hardly at all : 'Did you enjoy it?' 'No, not much.' She isn't much younger than me. Tony hasn't changed much in the last ten years.
'Did you enjoy it?' 'No, not much.'She isn't much younger than me.Tony hasn't changed much in the last ten years.b) used to say that something does not often happen : We don't go to the theatre much any more. Kids don't play outside as much as they used to. ➔ little3 (2)
We don't go to the theatre much any more.Kids don't play outside as much as they used to.5 used to say that something is very similar to something else : The house was very much as I'd remembered it. The taste is much like butter. Plants are classified in much the same way as animals.
much like something/much as
also much the same (as something)The house was very much as I'd remembered it.The taste is much like butter.Plants are classified in much the same way as animals.6 used to say that someone feels very surprised, embarrassed etc when something happens : Much to my relief, the conversation turned to another topic.
much to somebody's surprise/embarrassment etc
formalMuch to my relief, the conversation turned to another topic.7 used to say that a greater thing is even less true, likely, or possible than the thing you have just mentioned : The shelves were lined with books which neither Hugo nor Sally would ever open, much less read.
much less
The shelves were lined with books which neither Hugo nor Sally would ever open, much less read.9 used to say that one description of someone or something is less suitable or correct than another : She was not so much nervous as impatient for the journey to be over.
not so much...as...
She was not so much nervous as impatient for the journey to be over.