noun
Uncommon
multitude
MUHL-tiht-yood
Multitude (noun) means a very large number of people or things. Example: “A multitude of fans gathered outside the stadium.”
noun
1
A very large number of people or things.
"A multitude of fans gathered outside the stadium."
"There are a multitude of reasons the project failed."
"A multitude of stars appeared in the sky once the clouds had gone."
2
The general public or common people, as a group.
"The politician claimed to speak for the multitude."
"The old king rarely listened to the needs of the multitude outside his palace."
"The writer wanted his plays to be enjoyed by the multitude, not only the rich."
How to use multitude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA great many people or things, or (less commonly) ordinary people as a whole.
Common pairings
a multitude of reasons
a multitude of sins
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Word forms
- Plural
- multitudes
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A _____ of fans gathered outside the stadium.
Etymology
From Old French multitude, from Latin multitudo, from multus ("many, much").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
