abundance

Meanings

1. 1nounusually singular

   A very large quantity of something; more than enough of it.

   Grammar: Used mainly in 'an abundance of something'; the plural 'abundances' is rare.

   Patterns

   • an abundance of something
   • an abundance of evidence
   • in great abundance

   The garden produced an abundance of tomatoes this summer.

   There is an abundance of cheap, reliable data on the topic.

   She had an abundance of patience with the new trainees.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   In large supply; in plentiful amounts.

   Grammar: Fixed phrase placed at the end of a clause: 'wildflowers grew in abundance.'

   Patterns

   • grow in abundance
   • something in abundance

   After the rainy spring, wildflowers grew in abundance along the road.

   The market sells fresh herbs in abundance all year.

   In her new job, opportunities for training appear in abundance.

Common combinations

an abundance of something

The report cites an abundance of evidence for climate change.

in abundance

Cheap solar power is now available in abundance.

natural abundance

The island's natural abundance of fresh water supports large farms.

Synonyms and how they differ

plenty

Plenty is the everyday, informal choice; abundance is a little more formal and often written.

profusion

Profusion suggests a rich, often showy or chaotic mass, like flowers or colors; abundance is neutral about arrangement.

wealth

Wealth (of) is literary and emphasizes great variety or richness, not just a large amount.

Opposites

Word family

abundant adjective

existing in large quantities

abundantly adverb

in large amounts; also 'obviously,' as in abundantly clear

Commonly confused: abundance or abundant?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “abundance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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