Meaning & use
cornucopias
Last updated
“cornucopias” is a form of “cornucopia”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountablefigurative
Large supply or wide variety of good things, with plenty of choice.
Grammar: Plural of cornucopia; often followed by of: cornucopias of fruit.
Patterns
- a cornucopia of something
The farmers' market was a cornucopia of fruit, cheese and fresh bread.
Online shops now offer cornucopias of gadgets that nobody needs.
Her garden is one of several cornucopias in the neighborhood each autumn.
nouncountable
Curved, horn-shaped baskets overflowing with fruit, flowers and grain, used as symbols of plenty at harvest celebrations.
Grammar: Concrete plural: the cornucopias on the table.
Patterns
- a cornucopia filled with something
Wicker cornucopias spilled over with pumpkins on the Thanksgiving table.
The artist painted two cornucopias on either side of the door.
Children made paper cornucopias for the harvest festival.
Word forms
| singular | cornucopia |
|---|---|
| alternative plural | cornucopiae |
Common combinations
- a cornucopia of choices
- Streaming services offer cornucopias of choices for viewers.
- cornucopias of fruit
- The stalls were cornucopias of fruit in every color.
- overflowing cornucopias
- Overflowing cornucopias decorated the church.
- harvest cornucopias
- Harvest cornucopias appear in many autumn displays.
- cornucopias of delights
- The festival is full of cornucopias of delights for food lovers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- abundances
- Abundances is a plain, abstract word about large amounts, while cornucopias adds an image of rich, varied plenty.
- treasure troves
- Treasure troves suggest valuable discoveries, not simply abundance.
- profusions
- Profusions stresses large quantities that may seem excessive, while cornucopias sounds more positive.
- horns of plenty
- Horns of plenty is another name for the symbol itself.
Opposites
Word family
- cornucopia noun
- the singular form: an overflowing supply or the horn-shaped symbol
- cornucopian adjective
- describing abundance, rich or plentiful
- copious adjective
- very plentiful, from the same Latin root meaning plenty
Commonly confused: cornucopias or copious?
cornucopias vs copious
Copious is an adjective meaning plentiful. A cornucopia is a noun for a plentiful supply.
Practice
Which word completes the sentence? The market was a ___ of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Choose one answer.
A cornucopia is an abundant variety of good things. The other words sound similar but do not describe plenty.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cornucopias”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.