quantifier

quantifier
1 used to mean a lot of something especially in spoken English in questions and negatives or in formal written English: There isn't much time. Pack the bag quickly. | He didn't say much about it but I think his wife left him. | Do you get much chance to travel in your job? | After much deliberation the judges awarded the prize to Miss Venezuela. | how much?: How much is the dress with the white collar? | much of: Much of the city was destroyed in the attack.
2 so much/too much used to talk about a particularly large amount of something, especially more than necessary: I think it would taste nicer if you didn't use so much salt. | There was too much work for one person. | far/much etc too much: Easy on the gin! You've put in much too much!
3 not much used to mean that something is not important, interesting, worthy etc: The car may not be much to look at but it's very reliable. | Spend the vacation decorating? I don't think much of that idea. | I think we should leave. There's nothing much we can do to help. | The sequel was slightly better than the first movie but that's not saying much.
4 not be up to much spoken especially BrE to be fairly bad: The restaurant's very grand but the food isn't up to much.
5 not be much of a dancer/swimmer etc to not be a good dancer, swimmer etc: Greg's not much of a footballer but you can't fault his motivation.
6 it was as much as I/she etc could do used to say that someone could only just manage to do something: He looked so absurd, it was as much as I could do to keep a straight face.
7 be too much for sb to be too difficult for someone to do: Climbing the stairs is too much for her now that she's in her 90s.
8 think/say etc as much to think or say what you have just mentioned: She believed that the company should abandon such a risky proposal and said as much at the meeting.
9 make much of sb/sth
a) to treat information, a situation etc as though you think it is very important or serious: The press didn't make as much of the discovery as they might have done.
b) to think that something is very good or very impressive: I didn't make much of her latest novel.
c) to treat someone very kindly because you like them a lot: A childless couple, they always made much of their nephews and nieces.
 —compare make little of little 2
10 not/without so much as used when you are surprised or annoyed that someone did not do something: He left without so much as saying goodbye. | Sonia didn't so much as thank her for her help.
11 I'll say this/that much for used to praise someone or something when they are being criticized a lot: I'll say this much for Fiona - she has plenty of spirit!
12 so much for used to say that it was not worth using something because it had little effect, it was useless etc: So much for worrying she'd be lonely - she's having a party tonight!
13 as much again the same amount or number as the one mentioned before: The car only cost me -500 but it cost as much again to get it insured.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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