lot
lot
Lot (noun) means a large amount or number of something. Example: “There's a lot of traffic on the highway this evening.”
noun
1
A large amount or number of something.
"There's a lot of traffic on the highway this evening."
"She has a lot of experience running small businesses."
"We drank a lot of water during the long hike."
2
A specific piece of land, often marked out for building or parking.
"They bought a small lot on the edge of town to build their house."
"The council plans to turn the empty lot beside the school into a car park."
"Each lot on the new estate has room for a small garden."
3
A single item, or group of items, sold together at an auction.
"The next lot up for bidding was a set of antique chairs."
"Lot twelve was a box of old books, and nobody wanted it."
"She raised her hand and bought the lot for a fair amount."
4
One's fate or fortune, especially when it feels beyond one's control.
"He accepted his lot and made the best of a difficult situation."
"It was the lot of the family to work hard and receive little thanks."
"She complained about her lot, but nothing ever seemed to improve."
How to use lot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "a large amount," a plot of land, an auction item, or one's fate in life, depending on context.
Common pairings
a lot of
parking lot
draw lots
cast your lot with
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Word forms
- Plural
- lots
- Third person singular
- lots
- Past tense
- lotted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There's a _____ of traffic on the highway this evening.
Etymology
From Old English hlot, meaning a portion, share, or object used to make a chance decision — the same root behind "lottery" and "lotto."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lot
See all rhymes for lot →Frequently asked questions
What does “lot” mean?
The word “lot” means a large amount or number of something. In plain terms, either "a large amount," a plot of land, an auction item, or one's fate in life, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “lot”?
“Lot” is pronounced lot (/lɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “lot” in a sentence?
Here is “lot” used in a sentence: “There's a lot of traffic on the highway this evening.”
What is another word for “lot”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lot” include abundance, battalion, arseload, assload, bellyload and boatload.
What is the opposite of “lot”?
The opposite of “lot” — its antonyms — is modicum.
What part of speech is “lot”?
“Lot” is a noun.
Where does the word “lot” come from?
The word “lot” comes from Old English. From Old English hlot, meaning a portion, share, or object used to make a chance decision — the same root behind "lottery" and "lotto.".
Is “lot” a common word?
“Lot” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'a lot' and 'alot'?
'A lot' is always written as two separate words when it means a large amount. 'Alot' is a common misspelling and is not accepted in standard English. Remember that 'a' and 'lot' work like 'a bit' or 'a piece' — the article stays separate from the noun.
Is 'a lot' formal or informal?
'A lot' is informal and perfectly fine in everyday speech and casual writing. In formal or academic work, tighter alternatives such as 'a great deal', 'many', 'much', or 'numerous' are usually preferred. The meaning is the same; only the level of formality changes.
What is the difference between 'a lot' and 'lots'?
Both mean a large amount and are largely interchangeable, though 'lots' feels slightly more casual and emphatic — 'lots of fun' versus 'a lot of fun'. Both take a singular or plural verb depending on the noun that follows, as in 'lots of time' or 'lots of people'.
What is an example of 'a lot'?
You could say 'there were a lot of people at the concert' or 'she has a lot of patience'. In both cases 'a lot' signals a large amount or number, working with countable nouns like 'people' and uncountable ones like 'patience' alike.
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