much — English Dictionary

Determiner

1. A large amount of.

   Examples

   Do you think I have much chance of catching the train on time?

   After much discussion, we decided to set about the task with much enthusiasm.

   More examples (3)

   Did you do much running last summer?

   As it was, he did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without benefit from books or anything else.

   Unless matters take a nastier turn, neither side has much incentive to compromise.

2. Used to indicate, demonstrate or compare the quantity of something.

   Usage

   • in combinations such as 'as much'

   Examples

   Add this much water and no more.

   Take as much time as you like.

3. A great number of; many (people).

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • nonstandard

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   ye shall not nede to seke hym soo ferre sayd the Kynge / for as I here saye sir Launcelot will abyde me and yow in the Ioyous gard / and moche peple draweth vnto hym as I here saye

   When Jesus was come downe from the mountayne, moch people folowed him.

   There wasn't much people about that day.

4. many ( + plural countable noun).

   Usage

   • Caribbean
   • UK usage
   • Regional

   Examples

   They got so much things to say right now, they got so much things to say.

Adjective

1. Large, great.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Thenne launcelot vnbarred the dore / and with his lyfte hand he held it open a lytel / so that but one man myghte come in attones / and soo there came strydyng a good knyghte a moche man and large / and his name was Colgreuaunce / of Gore / and he with a swerd strake at syr launcelot myȝtely and he put asyde the stroke

2. Long in duration.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

Adverb

1. To a great extent.

   Examples

   I don't like melon much, and I don’t much care for milk chocolate either: I find them both much too sweet.

   However much I eat, I never get fat.

   More examples (8)

   He left her, much to the satisfaction of her other suitor.

   That boyfriend of yours is much like the others.

   My English was much the worst, and I'm certainly not much good at math either, of that I'm very much aware.

   Both candidates, who are much of an age, say much the same thing, but the youngest shows much the commoner behavior of the two.

   They stayed together during three dances, went out on to the terrace, explored wherever they were permitted to explore, paid two visits to the buffet, and enjoyed themselves much in the same way as if they had been school-children surreptitiously breaking loose from an assembly of grown-ups.

   I can’t lie (I miss you much). Watching every day that goes by (I miss you much).

   Tangling with Ziv, Cameron caught him with a flailing elbow, causing the Israeli defender to go down a little easily. However, the referee was in no doubt, much to the displeasure of the home fans.

   From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

2. To a great extent. for emphasis or to indicate a great difference

   Usage

   • with a comparative adjective

   Examples

   He is much fatter than I remember him.

   Honestly, I can't stand much more of this.

   More examples (1)

   a much warmer room for much nicer people

3. Often; frequently.

   Examples

   Does he get drunk much?

4. Used to indicate or compare extent.

   Usage

   • in combinations such as 'as much'

   Examples

   I don't like Wagner as much as I like Mozart.

5. Combining with an adjective or (occasionally) a noun, used in a rhetorical question to mock someone for having the specified quality.

   Usage

   • Slang

   Examples

   Jamie's always preaching about how we need to save a planet when she drives literally everywhere she goes. Like, hypocritical much?

   More examples (2)

   The moment you've been waiting for—the lowdown on the Overstock hottie. I talked to her by phone last week. (Jealous much, gentlemen? Ad Report Card talks to all the fine ladies.)

   Well, on the grounds of this, what if I told you the brand's latest launch goes against the latter and instead, is the first product in an opaque lip crème line? Screaming, crying, throwing up, much?

6. Almost.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Pronoun

1. A large amount or great extent; a lot.

   Examples

   I don't have much to do.

   From those to whom much has been given much is expected.

   More examples (4)

   We lay awake for much of the night.

   Much of literature is concerned with stylistics.

   She was in second place for much of the race.

   My wife is not much of a conversationalist.

Adjective

1. (quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity or degree or extent

   Antonyms

   little

   Examples

   not much rain

   much affection

   More examples (1)

   much grain is in storage

Noun

1. a great amount or extent

   Broader terms

   large indefinite quantitylarge indefinite amount

   Examples

   they did much for humanity

Adverb

1. to a great degree or extent

   Examples

   she's much better now

2. incredibly

   Examples

   he was much annoyed

3. (degree adverb used before a noun phrase) for all practical purposes but not completely

   Synonyms

   practically

   Examples

   much the same thing happened every time

   practically everything in Hinduism is the manifestation of a god

4. frequently or in great quantities

   Synonyms

   a great dealoften

   Examples

   I don't drink much

   I don't travel much