Meaning & use
plethora
Last updated
UK/ˈpleθərə/
US/ˈpleθərə/
Meaning
nounsingular
A very large amount of something, often more than is needed or useful.
Grammar: Takes of and then a noun, and a singular verb: a plethora of options is available.
Patterns
- a plethora of something
The menu offered a plethora of choices, and I could not decide.
The internet provides a plethora of free tutorials.
There was a plethora of advice but little help.
Common combinations
- a plethora of options
- Shoppers face a plethora of options.
- a plethora of information
- The website holds a plethora of information.
- a plethora of problems
- The old house had a plethora of problems.
- a plethora of reasons
- There are a plethora of reasons to travel.
- a plethora of choices
- The store offers a plethora of choices.
Synonyms and how they differ
- abundance
- Abundance is positive and suggests plenty, while plethora often hints at too much.
- profusion
- Profusion stresses large amounts appearing together, while plethora is used for ranges of options.
- surplus
- Surplus means more than needed, but it refers to leftover amounts rather than variety.
- glut
- Glut is stronger and negative, meaning a harmful oversupply.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: plethora or myriad?
plethora vs myriad
Myriad also means a great number but can be an adjective or noun, while plethora usually implies excess.
Practice
The catalog offered a ___ of colors, so choosing took ages.
Choose one answer.
A plethora of means a very large amount. A scarcity and a dearth mean too little, and a handful means a few.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plethora”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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