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much2 S1 W1
1 [in informal English 'much' is used mainly in questions and negatives] a large amount of something : 
I don't have much money with me.Was there much traffic? He didn't say much about his trip. Do you get much chance to travel in your job? After much consideration we have finally arrived at a decision.
I don't have much money with me.Was there much traffic?He didn't say much about his trip.Do you get much chance to travel in your job?After much consideration we have finally arrived at a decision. (far/much/rather/a little) too much There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired.
There was too much work for one person.It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired.2 used to ask or talk about the amount or cost of something : How much is that dress? How much flour should I use in the sauce? I know how much hard work goes into looking after a baby.
how much
How much is that dress?How much flour should I use in the sauce?I know how much hard work goes into looking after a baby.4 used to emphasize how surprisingly large an amount is : Some machines cost as much as £20,000.
as much as 10/100 etc
Some machines cost as much as £20,000.5 used in negative expressions to say that something is not important, interesting, good etc
not/nothing much 'What are you doing?' 'Oh, not much, really.' There's nothing much we can do to help.
'What are you doing?' 'Oh, not much, really.'There's nothing much we can do to help.6 to not be a good example of something or not be very good at something : I'm not much of a dancer, I'm afraid. It wasn't really much of a storm.
not be much of a something
I'm not much of a dancer, I'm afraid.It wasn't really much of a storm.7 to be too difficult for someone to do or bear : The effort of climbing the stairs had been too much for the old man. The shock had been too much for her - she never recovered.
be too much for somebody
The effort of climbing the stairs had been too much for the old man.The shock had been too much for her - she never recovered.8 to be fairly bad : The restaurant's very grand but the food isn't up to much.
not be up to much
British English spokenThe restaurant's very grand but the food isn't up to much.9 used to say that there is little difference between two things or amounts : 'Isn't the woollen carpet more expensive?' 'A little, perhaps, but there's not much in it.'
there is not much in it
informal'Isn't the woollen carpet more expensive?' 'A little, perhaps, but there's not much in it.'10 to think or say the thing that has just been mentioned : Carson strongly disapproved of the plan and said as much at the meeting. 'Max was lying all the time.' ' I thought as much.'
think/say etc as much
Carson strongly disapproved of the plan and said as much at the meeting.'Max was lying all the time.' ' I thought as much.'11 used to say that someone only succeeded in doing something with great difficulty : He looked so stupid, it was as much as I could do to stop myself from laughing.
it was as much as somebody could do to do something
He looked so stupid, it was as much as I could do to stop myself from laughing.12 used when you are surprised or annoyed that someone did not do something : They left without so much as saying goodbye. He'd received not so much as a thank you from Tiffany.
not/without so much as something
They left without so much as saying goodbye.He'd received not so much as a thank you from Tiffany.13 used to say that a particular action, idea, statement etc was not useful or did not produce the result that was hoped for : He's late again. So much for good intentions.
so much for something
He's late again. So much for good intentions.14 used when saying one good thing about someone or something when they are being criticized a lot : Well, he does admit it when he's wrong, I'll say that much for him.
I'll say this/that much for somebody/something
Well, he does admit it when he's wrong, I'll say that much for him.15 an additional amount that is equal : The car only cost me £1500 but it cost as much again to get it insured.
as much again
The car only cost me £1500 but it cost as much again to get it insured.16 used to say that someone's behaviour is unacceptable or impolite : It's a bit much expecting you to pay for it all.
be a bit much/be too much
British English spokenIt's a bit much expecting you to pay for it all.17 to treat a person or thing as though you think they are very important or special : The press made much of the discovery. They've always made much of their nephews and nieces.
make much of somebody/something
formalThe press made much of the discovery.They've always made much of their nephews and nieces.GRAMMAR 
GRAMMAR 
When much is a quantifier, it is used mainly in questions and negative sentences • Was there much mess? • I don't have much time. In sentences which are not questions or negative sentences, phrases like 'a lot of' and 'plenty of' are used instead • Kurama has a lot of snow (NOT Kurama has much snow).Much can also be used after too, so, and as • We've wasted too much time. • She cried so much her head ached. • Drink as much wine as you want.!! Do not use much before countable nouns. Use many or a lot of • There are too many advertisements on television (NOT There are too much advertisements on television). When much is an adverb, it is mainly used before comparative adjectives • He looks much older than 35. • Some people are much more fortunate than others.Much can also be used before some adjectives in questions and negative questions • She doesn't look much different with her new hairstyle.!! Do not use much before adjectives in sentences that are not questions or negative sentences. Use very • Tea and coffee taste very different (NOT Tea and coffee taste much different).Much can also be used before some past participles acting as adjectives • Education is a much discussed government service. • a much admired writer This use is mainly found in formal and literary English.
GRAMMAR When much is a quantifier, it is used mainly in questions and negative sentences • Was there much mess? • I don't have much time. In sentences which are not questions or negative sentences, phrases like 'a lot of' and 'plenty of' are used instead • Kurama has a lot of snow (NOT Kurama has much snow).Much can also be used after too, so, and as • We've wasted too much time. • She cried so much her head ached. • Drink as much wine as you want.!! Do not use much before countable nouns. Use many or a lot of • There are too many advertisements on television (NOT There are too much advertisements on television). When much is an adverb, it is mainly used before comparative adjectives • He looks much older than 35. • Some people are much more fortunate than others.Much can also be used before some adjectives in questions and negative questions • She doesn't look much different with her new hairstyle.!! Do not use much before adjectives in sentences that are not questions or negative sentences. Use very • Tea and coffee taste very different (NOT Tea and coffee taste much different).Much can also be used before some past participles acting as adjectives • Education is a much discussed government service. • a much admired writer This use is mainly found in formal and literary English.
