cornucopia

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularfigurative

   A large supply of many good things, offering great variety and abundance.

   Grammar: Usually followed by of: a cornucopia of flavors.

   Patterns

   • a cornucopia of something

   The market was a cornucopia of fruit and spices.

   The city offers a cornucopia of museums and parks.

   The internet is a cornucopia of free information.

2. 2nouncountable

   A horn-shaped basket or ornament overflowing with fruit, flowers and grain, symbolizing abundance.

   Grammar: Countable: a cornucopia, several cornucopias.

   Patterns

   • a cornucopia filled with something

   A wicker cornucopia sat in the center of the table at Thanksgiving.

   The painting showed a goddess holding a cornucopia.

   They decorated the hall with a cornucopia of autumn fruit.

Word forms

Common combinations

cornucopia of delights

The festival offered a cornucopia of delights.

cornucopia of colors

The garden is a cornucopia of colors in spring.

cornucopia of choices

The menu was a cornucopia of choices.

cornucopia of ideas

Her notebook was a cornucopia of ideas.

harvest cornucopia

A harvest cornucopia decorated the school hall.

Synonyms and how they differ

abundance

Abundance simply means a large quantity, while cornucopia adds the image of variety and richness.

profusion

Profusion stresses an excessive, sometimes untidy amount.

plenty

Plenty is plain and everyday, while cornucopia sounds vivid and literary.

bounty

Bounty is generous natural harvest or reward, often agricultural.

Opposites

Word family

cornucopian adjective

abundant, in the manner of a cornucopia

horn of plenty noun

another name for a cornucopia

Commonly confused: cornucopia or copious?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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