multitude
Multitude (noun) means a very large number of people or things. Example: “A multitude of fans gathered outside the stadium.”
How to use multitude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA great many people or things, or (less commonly) ordinary people as a whole.
Word forms
multitudes plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of fans gathered outside the stadium.
Etymology
From Old French multitude, from Latin multitudo, from multus ("many, much").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for multitude
See all rhymes for multitude →Frequently asked questions
What does “multitude” mean?
The word “multitude” means a very large number of people or things. In plain terms, a great many people or things, or (less commonly) ordinary people as a whole.
How do you pronounce “multitude”?
“Multitude” is pronounced MUHL-tiht-yood (/ˈmʌltəˌt(j)ud/ in IPA).
How do you use “multitude” in a sentence?
Here is “multitude” used in a sentence: “A multitude of fans gathered outside the stadium.”
What part of speech is “multitude”?
“Multitude” is a noun.
Where does the word “multitude” come from?
The word “multitude” comes from Latin. From Old French multitude, from Latin multitudo, from multus ("many, much").
Is “multitude” a common word?
“Multitude” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “multitude” have?
“Multitude” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very large number of people or things.
What is the difference between a multitude and a crowd?
A multitude refers to a very large number of people or things generally, while a crowd specifically describes people gathered closely together in one place. A multitude can describe things that are not physically gathered, such as "a multitude of problems," whereas a crowd is inherently a group of people in physical proximity.
What does "the multitude" mean as opposed to "a multitude"?
"The multitude" refers to the general public or common people as a group, often with a slightly historical or literary tone, while "a multitude" simply means a very large number of people or things. The definite article usage treats the multitude almost as a collective social class rather than a countable quantity.
Is multitude used mainly for people, or can it describe things too?
Multitude can describe a very large number of either people or things, as in "a multitude of options" or "a multitude of stars." It is not restricted to describing crowds of people.