numerous
NYOO-muh-ruhs
Numerous (adj) means existing or occurring in large numbers; many. Example: “She has numerous reasons for turning down the offer.”
adj
1
Existing or occurring in large numbers; many.
"She has numerous reasons for turning down the offer."
"Numerous studies have looked into the same question."
"The reasons to refrain are numerous."
"Numerous visitors queued outside the museum before it opened its doors."
How to use numerous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly more formal way of saying "many".
When to use it
More formal than "lots of" or "a lot of" — common in written and professional English.
Common pairings
numerous occasions
numerous times
numerous studies
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more numerous
- Superlative
- most numerous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has _____ reasons for turning down the offer.
Etymology
From Latin numerosus, "numerous, abundant", built from numerus, "number".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for numerous
See all rhymes for numerous →Frequently asked questions
What does “numerous” mean?
The word “numerous” means existing or occurring in large numbers; many. In plain terms, a slightly more formal way of saying "many".
How do you pronounce “numerous”?
“Numerous” is pronounced NYOO-muh-ruhs (/ˈnuməɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “numerous” in a sentence?
Here is “numerous” used in a sentence: “She has numerous reasons for turning down the offer.”
What is another word for “numerous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “numerous” include many and multiple.
What is the opposite of “numerous”?
The opposite of “numerous” — its antonyms — is unnumerous.
What part of speech is “numerous”?
“Numerous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “numerous” come from?
The word “numerous” comes from Latin. From Latin numerosus, "numerous, abundant", built from numerus, "number".
Is “numerous” a common word?
“Numerous” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between numerous and many?
The two are close in meaning and often interchangeable, but numerous is more formal and emphasises a notably large count. 'Many people' and 'numerous people' both mean a lot, yet numerous sounds more precise and is common in writing, while many is the everyday, neutral choice in speech.
Is numerous formal or informal?
Numerous leans formal. It appears most often in writing, reports, and professional or academic contexts, where it sounds more polished than plain 'many' or 'lots of.' In casual conversation people usually reach for those simpler words, so using numerous in everyday speech can sound slightly stiff or bookish.
What is the opposite of numerous?
The main opposites are few, scarce, and sparse. Where numerous describes something existing in large numbers, these words describe small quantities or shortage. 'Few visitors' or 'sparse crowds' convey the reverse of numerous. Singular words like single or lone can also serve as opposites when contrasting one against many.
What is an example of numerous in a sentence?
The phrase 'the report listed numerous errors' means it contained many mistakes. Other examples include 'she has numerous responsibilities at work' or 'the city offers numerous attractions for visitors.' In each case, numerous simply signals a large number, with a slightly more formal tone than 'many' would carry.
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