noun
Common
dozens
Dozens (noun) means Many; a large but unspecified number (plural use of dozen). Example: “There were dozens of birds sitting along the telephone wires this morning.”
noun
1
Many; a large but unspecified number (plural use of dozen).
"There were dozens of birds sitting along the telephone wires this morning."
"We've received dozens of replies since we posted the invitation."
"Dozens of fans lined up outside the stadium."
2
(Chiefly African-American English) A game of trading witty, often insulting, put-downs, sometimes called "playing the dozens."
"The cousins played the dozens at the barbecue, laughing at each other's jokes."
"He was quick-witted and always won when they played the dozens."
"The two friends were playing the dozens on the porch, trading insults for laughs."
How to use dozens
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually just means "a lot" — several tens of something.
Common pairings
dozens of people
playing the dozens
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There were _____ of birds sitting along the telephone wires this morning.
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Frequently asked questions
What does “dozens” mean?
The word “dozens” means many; a large but unspecified number (plural use of dozen). In plain terms, usually just means "a lot" — several tens of something.
How do you use “dozens” in a sentence?
Here is “dozens” used in a sentence: “Dozens of fans lined up outside the stadium.”
What part of speech is “dozens”?
“Dozens” is a noun.
Is “dozens” a common word?
“Dozens” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dozens” have?
“Dozens” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: many; a large but unspecified number (plural use of dozen).
What is the difference between "dozens" and "a dozen"?
"A dozen" means exactly twelve, while "dozens" is an informal way of saying many, referring to a large but unspecified number. If you say "dozens of people," you mean a lot of people, not precisely twenty-four.
How many is "dozens of"?
"Dozens of" does not name an exact figure; it simply means many or a large number, more than a couple of dozen but left vague. The phrase emphasizes that the amount is large rather than giving a precise count.
What is the difference between "dozens" and "scores"?
Both are informal words for a large, unspecified number. "Dozens" is based on the unit of twelve, while "scores" is based on the unit of twenty, so "scores of" often suggests an even larger quantity than "dozens of."
