some
suhm
Some (determiner) means an unspecified but limited amount or number of something. Example: “Could you pass me some sugar for my coffee?”
determiner
1
An unspecified but limited amount or number of something.
"Could you pass me some sugar for my coffee?"
"Some students missed the deadline for the assignment."
"We bought some apples and a loaf of bread on the way home."
2
Used to mean "a considerable amount of", emphasising a notable quantity or degree.
"That took some courage to admit."
"It took some effort to push the old sofa up the narrow stairs."
"He waited for some time before the doctor called his name."
pronoun
1
An unspecified part or number of a larger group.
"Some of the cakes had already been eaten by the time we arrived."
"I baked a dozen biscuits, and some were gone within minutes."
"The books were old, but some were still in excellent condition."
How to use some
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn amount or number that isn't exact — more than none, but not all or a specific figure.
Common pairings
some people
some of the time
to some extent
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Etymology
From Old English sum, "a certain one", going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "one" or "whole".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for some
See all rhymes for some →Frequently asked questions
What does “some” mean?
The word “some” means an unspecified but limited amount or number of something. In plain terms, an amount or number that isn't exact — more than none, but not all or a specific figure.
How do you pronounce “some”?
“Some” is pronounced suhm (/sʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “some” in a sentence?
Here is “some” used in a sentence: “Could you pass me some sugar for my coffee?”
What is the opposite of “some”?
The opposite of “some” — its antonyms — are many, much, none and no.
What part of speech is “some”?
Depending on how it is used, “some” can be a determiner and a pronoun.
Where does the word “some” come from?
The word “some” comes from Old English. From Old English sum, "a certain one", going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "one" or "whole".
Is “some” a common word?
“Some” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “some” have?
“Some” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an unspecified but limited amount or number of something.
What is the difference between 'some' and 'any'?
Both refer to an unspecified amount, but they are used differently. 'Some' appears in positive statements and offers: 'I have some questions,' 'would you like some water?' 'Any' appears in negatives and most questions: 'I don't have any questions,' 'is there any water?' Using 'some' in an offer signals you expect a yes.
What is the difference between 'some' and 'a few'?
'Some' is vaguer — an unspecified, limited amount that could be small or moderate. 'A few' specifically means a small number, usually two or three. 'Some people came' leaves the number open, while 'a few people came' tells you not many did. 'A few' also works only with countable nouns.
Is 'some' singular or plural?
It can be both, depending on the noun. With countable plural nouns it feels plural: 'some books are missing.' With uncountable nouns it takes a singular verb: 'some water is left.' 'Some' itself never changes form — the noun and verb decide the agreement.
What is an example of 'some' as a determiner?
In 'she bought some apples,' 'some' signals an unspecified but limited number of apples. With uncountable nouns it marks quantity instead: 'add some salt.' It sits before the noun and, unlike an exact number, deliberately leaves the amount vague.
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