DictionaryAI

much

MUCH/mʌt͡ʃ/

Adverbmore (entry), most

Often confused with many

11 meanings of much

Practice

  1. 1
    a lot ofdeterminer
    A large amount of something that cannot be counted, or, with words like how, so, this, or too, the amount indicated or compared.

    There isn't much milk left in the fridge.

    The plan drew much criticism from local business owners.

    UsageUse with uncountable nouns: much money, but many coins. In everyday positive statements, a lot of usually sounds more natural than much alone.

    Oppositelittle

    Note

    Here much does its daily work with uncountable nouns: chance, discussion, enthusiasm, zeal. In everyday speech it is most at home in questions, negatives and conditions (Do you have much chance?). Formal prose allows it freely (after much discussion, with much enthusiasm), and Jane Austen's 'did nothing with much zeal' shows the pull toward the negative.

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

    • The quoted words occur in Jane Austen's Persuasion, in narration about Charles Musgrove. gutenberg.org
  2. 2
    far (comparisons)adverb
    Used for emphasis, or to indicate a great difference, especially before comparatives and superlatives.

    The second draft read much more clearly than the first.

    Traveling overnight is much the cheaper option.

    UsageBefore comparatives use much or far: much better. Very goes with the plain form: very good.

    Similarfar, considerably, significantly

    Oppositeslightly, marginally

  3. 3
    pronoun
    A large amount or great extent of something; also, with how, as, so, too or this, the amount asked about, compared or pointed to.

    Much depends on tomorrow's decision.

    She achieved much in only a few years.

    Similarplenty

    Oppositelittle

  4. 4
    adverb
    To a great extent or degree.

    He hasn't changed much since college.

    Her back doesn't hurt much anymore, thanks to the physical therapy.

    UsageAfter a verb it suits negatives and questions: I don't like it much. In positive sentences, say a lot or very much.

    Similargreatly, considerably, significantly, far

    Oppositelittle, slightly

  5. 5
    adverb
    Used to indicate or compare the extent or degree of something.

    She never thought she would like teaching this much.

    If it upsets you this much, you should say something.

    UsageTo compare, use as much as: I don't like tea as much as coffee.

    Note

    This is the adverb partner of the determiner in 'this much'. Here the same frames measure how far a feeling or action goes, not how much of a substance there is.

  6. 6
    nearlyadverb
    Nearly or approximately, as in much the same or much as before.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of much apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English muche, a shortened form of muchel ("much, great"), from Old English myċel or miċel ("big, much"), going back through Proto-Germanic *mikilaz to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "big, great." It is related to Scots mickle and, more distantly, to Ancient Greek megas ("great"). Note that despite the resemblance, English much is not related to Spanish mucho, which comes from Latin multus.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 8 facts