many

/'meni/ quantifier

1 (used especially in formal English, or in ordinary written or spoken English when in questions and negative sentences) a large number of people or things: many people/things/places etc: Many people find this kind of movie unpleasant. | Rain has been forecast in many areas of the country. | Does she have many friends? | many of: Many of our staff are actually part time workers. | Thousands of soldiers were sent into battle, many of them killed outright. | for many: For many, the entrance exam proved too difficult. | how many...?: How many brothers and sisters do you have? | not many (=only a few): There weren't many people at the party. | the many people/things/places etc: The committee would like to thank the many visitors who gave money so generously. | many a person/thing/place etc: Through many a crisis it was his family that helped him survive.

—compare lot (1)

2 as many the same number as another particular number: Those cookies were great. I could eat as many again. (=the same number again) | as many as: Grandfather claimed to have as many medals as the general himself. | in as many days/weeks etc: A great trip! We visited five countries in as many days. | twice/three times etc as many: The company now employs four times as many women as men. | one/two etc too many (=one more than necessary): You've bought one too many. There are only three of us who need tickets.

3

a) many a time old-fashioned often: I've sat here many a time and wondered what became of her.

b) many's the time/day (that/when) used to say that a particular thing happens often: Many's the time we've had to borrow money in order to get through the month.

4 a good many a fairly large number of people or things: Stop complaining! A good many people would be happy to have work.

5 a great many a very large number of people or things: Most of the young men went off to the war, and a great many never came back.

6 have had one too many informal to be drunk: Don't pay any attention to him - he's had one too many.

7 the many formal a very large group of people, especially the public in general: This war is another example of the few sacrificing so much for the many.

8 be one too many for BrE old-fashioned to be so clever that someone cannot gain advantage over you

—opposite few, —compare more 2, most 2, —see also: much 2, not in so many words word 1 (19)