amounts

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Quantities of something, such as money, water or time, considered as measured totals.

   Grammar: Plural of amount; pair it with uncountable nouns: large amounts of water.

   Patterns

   • amounts of something
   • large amounts of something

   Small amounts of caffeine can keep you alert.

   The recipe uses large amounts of garlic.

   The bank must report any unusual amounts of cash.

2. 2verbintransitive

   Is equal to or adds up to something; works out as the same as something in effect.

   Grammar: Third person singular of amount; used with to: it amounts to a refusal.

   Patterns

   • amounts to something

   Her reply amounts to a polite refusal.

   The total cost amounts to about two thousand dollars.

   What he said amounts to an apology.

Word forms

Common combinations

large amounts of

Large amounts of rain fell overnight.

small amounts of

Add small amounts of salt as you taste.

vast amounts of

The company stores vast amounts of data.

trace amounts

The water contains trace amounts of lead.

amounts to

This amounts to a major change in policy.

Synonyms and how they differ

quantities

Quantities is slightly more formal and can be used for countable and uncountable items, while amounts is mostly used with things you cannot count.

sums

Sums is mainly for money, whereas amounts works for any measured thing.

volumes

Volumes suggests physical bulk or space, while amounts is neutral.

Word family

amount noun

singular form

amounted verb

past tense of amount

amounting verb

-ing form of amount

Commonly confused: amounts or numbers?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words