amount

Pluralamounts

Formsamounts, amounting, amounted

1. 1
   quantitynouncountable

   How much of something there is, like sugar, time, or water.

   Like how much juice fills your glass.

   We need a large amount of flour for this recipe.

   She spent a small amount of money on lunch.

   UsageSay amount of for water, money or time. For things you count, like people, say number of.

2. 2
   sum of moneynouncountable

   A total in money, like what you have to pay for something or what you are paid.

   The amount on the bill was much more than we expected.

   She was paid a smaller amount than her boss had promised.

   UsageCommon phrases: the amount due, the full amount. You can say amounts for more than one.

   Similarsum, total, figure

3. 3
   add upverbintransitivewith to

   To add up to a total.

   Like adding all your coins to get one total.

   The repair costs amount to over a thousand dollars.

   All the tips amount to fifty dollars a night.

   Similartotal

4. 4
   be equalverbintransitivewith to

   To be the same as something, or to mean the same thing in the end.

   Like small coins that add up to a lot of money.

   His excuses amount to nothing in the end.

   Saying nothing when you know the truth can amount to telling a lie.

   UsageOften used with not: not amount to much means not be very important or successful.

   Similarconstitute, equal, represent

   Note
5. 5
   nounnonstandardcountable

   The number of things in a group.

   Like counting how many apples are in a basket.

   I was surprised by the amount of cars on the road.

   The amount of coins in the jar surprised everyone.

   UsageIn school or work writing, say number of for things you count, like people or cars.

   Similarnumber, count

   Note

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