a lot

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
العربية الفصحى
Arabic (Standard)
Español
Spanish
हिन्दी
Hindi
日本語
Japanese
Português
Portuguese
/ə ˈlɑːt/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A large amount, a high degree, or many times.
Practice using a lot in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She feels a lot better.
  • I learned a lot today.
  • The new bag costs a lot more.
  • I like this song a lot.
  • We have a lot of food.

Similar words

often
frequently
very much
greatly
a great deal
plenty

Meanings

A large amount or number

quantity
neutral
A large quantity of something, used alone or followed by of and a noun.

Examples

  • We have a lot of food.
  • A lot of people came.
  • There is a lot to do.
  • She has a lot of books.
  • I learned a lot today.

Similar words

plenty
a great deal

To a great degree

degree
neutral
Very much, especially when describing a feeling, similarity, or change.

Examples

  • I like this song a lot.
  • She feels a lot better.
  • He looks a lot like his father.
  • It helped a lot.
  • The new bag costs a lot more.

Similar words

very much
greatly

Very often

frequency
neutral
On many occasions or for much of the time.

Examples

  • We visit them a lot.
  • She reads a lot.
  • It rains a lot here.
  • They talk a lot.
  • I used to travel a lot.

Similar words

often
frequently

Etymology

Lot once meant a share or portion. The expression a lot came to mean a large share and then a large amount or degree.

FAQ

What does a lot mean?

It can mean a large amount, very much, or very often.

Is a lot one word or two?

It is written as two words.

When does a lot take of?

Use a lot of directly before a noun, as in “a lot of books.”

Can a lot mean often?

Yes. “We go there a lot” means we go there often.

Can a lot describe a change?

Yes. “A lot better” means much better.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...