English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun Uncommon

plethora

PLEH-thuh-ruh

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Plethora (noun) means an overwhelming or excessive amount of something. Example: “The menu offers a plethora of vegetarian options.”

noun

1

An overwhelming or excessive amount of something.

"The story of the woodhen is one outstanding conservation triumph in a plethora of tragedy." — Sean Dooley, The Big Twitch (2005)

"The menu offers a plethora of vegetarian options."

"She had a plethora of excuses for being late."

"The menu offers a plethora of cuisines from around the world."

How to use plethora

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWay more than you need — an abundance, often to the point of being too much.

Common mistake

Always used with "of" — "a plethora of things," never just "plethora things."

Common pairings

a plethora of options a plethora of choices

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: plethorae, plethoras

Test yourself on “plethora” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The menu offers a _____ of vegetarian options.

Etymology

From Greek plēthōra ("fullness, satiety"), from plēthō ("to be full").

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

embarrassment overplus superfluity

Antonyms

lack

Related words

have want include miss lack shame absence excess

Rhymes for plethora

ora tora hora sora bora mora gora Dora kora Nora Cora Lora

See all rhymes for plethora →

Frequently asked questions

What does “plethora” mean?

The word “plethora” means an overwhelming or excessive amount of something. In plain terms, way more than you need — an abundance, often to the point of being too much.

How do you pronounce “plethora”?

“Plethora” is pronounced PLEH-thuh-ruh (/ˈplɛθəɹə/ in IPA).

How do you use “plethora” in a sentence?

Here is “plethora” used in a sentence: “The menu offers a plethora of vegetarian options.”

What part of speech is “plethora”?

“Plethora” is a noun.

Where does the word “plethora” come from?

The word “plethora” comes from Greek. From Greek plēthōra ("fullness, satiety"), from plēthō ("to be full").

Is “plethora” a common word?

“Plethora” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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