legion

legion — adjective

1. existing in extremely large numbers; so many that it is difficult to list or cou

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

existing in extremely large numbers; so many that it is difficult to list or count them all.

Example

The problems facing the new hospital were legion, from old equipment to empty beds.

predicative pattern: be legion

Hyun's excuses for refusing the job were legion — low pay, long hours, a mean boss.

subject + be legion + listing examples

Common collocations
  • problems are legion
  • rumours are legion
  • stories are legion
  • reasons are legion
  • excuses are legion
Synonyms
  • numerous

    neutral and more common; works both before and after a noun

  • countless

    emphasises that the number cannot be counted; less formal than legion

  • myriad

    also means 'very many'; can be used before a noun ('myriad problems') which legion cannot

  • abundant

    suggests plenty or more than enough, often with a positive tone

Antonyms
  • scarce

    rare or hard to find; the opposite of plentiful

  • few

    simple opposite in terms of number

Grammar Patterns

be + legion

Usage Note

Only used predicatively (after a form of 'be'). Cannot be placed before a noun — you cannot say 'legion problems'. The structure is always '[subject] + be + legion'.

Common Mistakes

He had legion problems at work.
His problems at work were legion.
'legion' cannot go before a noun; it must follow a form of 'be'.
There was a legion number of people.
The number of people was legion.
'legion' is not used as a quantifier before nouns.

legion — noun

Word family

  • legionary
    adjectiveC1
  • legionary
    nounC1
  • legionnaire
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Legion' is the most formal and literary of these four words, used almost exclusively predicatively ('the problems were legion') rather than before a noun. 'Numerous' is the neutral, everyday choice that works in both positions ('numerous reports', 'the reports were numerous'). 'Countless' emphasises the impossibility of counting and often appears in emotional or dramatic contexts ('countless lives were lost'). 'Myriad' can be a noun ('a myriad of options') or an adjective ('myriad options') and carries a slightly poetic tone. 'Abundant' implies more than enough and usually has a positive connotation ('abundant rainfall', 'abundant opportunities'). For a formal essay on a large problem, use 'legion' at the end of a sentence for impact: 'The challenges are legion.' For everyday speech, 'numerous' or 'countless' sound more natural.

numerous ↗countless ↗myriadabundant ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a legion of
  • their [noun] are legion
  • the [name] Legion

Prepositions

  • legion of

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'legio' (a body of soldiers, a draft or levy), derived from 'legere' (to choose, gather, collect). The word originally referred to the largest unit of the Roman army, selected from the citizens who were called up for service. The adjective sense ('very many') comes from the phrase 'their name is legion', a reference to a biblical passage in the Gospel of Mark where a man possessed by many demons says 'My name is Legion, for we are many.'