plenty

The word “plenty” means a large or more-than-sufficient amount. In plain terms, more than enough — a comfortable abundance of something.

“Plenty” is pronounced PLEHN-tee (/ˈplɛnti/ in IPA).

Here is “plenty” used in a sentence: “There's plenty of time before the train leaves.”

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

The word “plenty” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman plenté, ultimately from Latin plenitas ("fullness"), from plenus ("full") — the same root that gives us "full," "complete," and "replenish.".

“Plenty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Plenty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large or more-than-sufficient amount.

"Enough" means just the amount needed, with no shortage. "Plenty" means more than enough — an abundant supply with some to spare. If you have enough chairs, everyone can sit; if you have plenty, there are extra. Plenty carries a sense of comfortable abundance that enough does not.

Chiefly a noun meaning abundance, as in "a land of plenty" or "plenty of time." Informally it also works as an adverb or intensifier, as in "there's plenty more" or "it's plenty big enough." The pattern "plenty of" before another noun is its most common everyday use.

"We have plenty of food for everyone" shows the common "plenty of" pattern, meaning an ample supply. Other examples include "there's plenty of time," "a land of plenty," and "I've had plenty, thank you." Each stresses a generous, more-than-sufficient amount.

The opposite of plenty is "scarcity," "shortage," or "lack." Where plenty means an abundant, more-than-sufficient supply, these words mean too little. Related opposites include "want" and "dearth," or "famine" when the shortage is severe.