much

The word “much” means a large amount of something, usually something uncountable. In plain terms, a word for "a lot" — used with uncountable nouns (much water) and to intensify comparisons (much better).

“Much” is pronounced muhch (/mʌt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

Here is “much” used in a sentence: “There isn't much time left before the deadline.”

Words with a similar meaning to “much” include a great deal of, a lot of, a great deal, a lot, greatly and highly.

The opposite of “much” — its antonyms — are little, less, few, almost and nearly.

Depending on how it is used, “much” can be a det and an adverb.

The word “much” comes from Latin. From Middle English muche/muchel, going back through Old English to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "great" or "many." Despite the resemblance, it is not related to the Spanish word mucho, which comes from Latin instead.

“Much” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Use much with uncountable things you cannot easily split into units — much water, much time, much money. Use many with countable, plural nouns — many bottles, many hours, many coins. The quick test: if you can put a number in front of the noun, choose many; if you cannot, choose much.

Yes. In everyday positive statements much can sound stiff, so people prefer 'a lot of' — 'I have a lot of work' rather than 'I have much work.' Much fits far more naturally in questions and negatives — 'Is there much left?' or 'There isn't much time.' In formal writing, positive much is perfectly acceptable.

The opposite of much is little, which describes a small amount of something uncountable — 'little time,' 'little hope.' For countable things the parallel opposites are many and few. So much and little pair together for uncountable nouns, just as many and few pair together for countable ones.

Much typically sits before an uncountable noun or stands alone: 'There isn't much sugar left,' 'She didn't say much,' or 'How much does it cost?' It can also intensify comparisons — 'much better,' 'much too loud' — signalling a large degree rather than a large amount.