plural
Plural (adj) means referring to more than one of something. Example: “Cats" is the plural form of "cat".”
How to use plural
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing or referring to more than one item; the grammatical opposite of singular.
Irregular plurals (child/children, mouse/mice) don't follow the standard add-an-"s" rule.
Word forms
more plural comparative, plurals plural, most plural superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
"Cats" is the _____ form of "cat".
Etymology
From Latin "plūrālis", from "plūs, plūris" (more).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for plural
Frequently asked questions
What does “plural” mean?
The word “plural” means referring to more than one of something. In plain terms, describing or referring to more than one item; the grammatical opposite of singular.
How do you pronounce “plural”?
“Plural” is pronounced PLOOR-ruhl (/ˈplʊɹ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “plural” in a sentence?
Here is “plural” used in a sentence: “"Cats" is the plural form of "cat".”
What is another word for “plural”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plural” include multiple.
What is the opposite of “plural”?
The opposite of “plural” — its antonyms — is singular.
What part of speech is “plural”?
Depending on how it is used, “plural” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “plural” come from?
The word “plural” comes from Latin. From Latin "plūrālis", from "plūs, plūris" (more).
Is “plural” a common word?
“Plural” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between plural and multiple?
Plural is specifically a grammatical term referring to the word form used for more than one thing, such as "cats" versus "cat," while multiple is a broader adjective meaning more than one of something without any grammatical implication.
How do you form the plural of most English nouns?
Most English nouns form their plural by adding -s or -es to the singular form, such as "book" becoming "books" or "box" becoming "boxes," though many common nouns have irregular plural forms that don't follow this pattern.
What is the difference between singular and plural?
Singular refers to exactly one of something, while plural refers to more than one, and this distinction affects verb agreement, pronoun choice, and noun endings throughout English grammar.