multitude

multitude — noun

1. a count of people or objects that is extremely high — for example, a multitude o

1.nounB2
Definition

a count of people or objects that is extremely high — for example, a multitude of stars in the sky or a multitude of problems after a disaster.

Example

A multitude of stars filled the night sky above the village.

a multitude of + noun phrase as subject

The public library on Elm Street has a multitude of books on Asian history.

Common collocations
  • a multitude of
  • vast multitude of
  • whole multitude of
Synonyms
  • myriad

    suggests an uncountably vast number; often used attributively ('myriad reasons')

  • host

    a large organized group; slightly literary or poetic in tone

  • abundance

    emphasizes plentiful supply; often positive in connotation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a multitude of + noun

Usage Note

Always used in the singular with the indefinite article 'a' and followed by 'of'. Cannot be used without a noun after 'of'.

Common Mistakes

There were multitude people at the market.
There were a multitude of people at the market.
'multitude' requires the article 'a' and the preposition 'of' before the noun it modifies.

2. a large group of people gathered together in one place — for example, a multitud

2.nounB2
Definition

a large group of people gathered together in one place — for example, a multitude waiting outside a stadium, or a multitude filling a town square.

Example

A vast multitude gathered in the town square to hear the mayor speak.

adjective + multitude describing a physical crowd

The politician walked through the multitude, shaking hands with supporters along the way.

Common collocations
  • vast multitude
  • great multitude
  • restless multitude
  • gathered multitude
Synonyms
  • crowd

    more common, everyday word for a group of people gathered together

  • throng

    a dense, tightly packed crowd; slightly literary

  • horde

    a large group, often with negative connotations of being threatening or disordered

Grammar Patterns

adjective + multitude

the + multitude

Usage Note

This sense emphasizes physical co-presence in a specific location. Unlike sense 3, it refers to a single concrete gathering, not a dispersed population.

Common Mistakes

I saw multitudes in the market today.' (when referring to a single crowd)
I saw a multitude in the market today.
For one specific physical gathering, use the singular 'a multitude'.

3. very big groups of people considered across different places or across time, not

3.nounB2
Definition

very big groups of people considered across different places or across time, not as one specific gathering — such as multitudes who leave their homes to find work in other cities, or multitudes who travel to an annual festival from far away.

Example

Multitudes came to the coastal city looking for work during the dry season.

multitudes (plural) for dispersed large groups

The annual mango festival attracts multitudes from all over the island.

Common collocations
  • multitudes of
  • attract multitudes
  • multitudes come
Synonyms
  • masses

    large numbers of ordinary people; can also mean 'the masses' as a social group

  • thousands

    more concrete and specific; often used literally

Grammar Patterns

multitudes of + noun

multitudes + verb

Usage Note

Used in the plural form 'multitudes', often with 'of' before a noun. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 refers to large numbers of people in general (not necessarily gathered in one place), whereas sense 2 refers to a specific physical crowd.

Common Mistakes

Multitudes of dust covered the furniture.
Multitudes of people lined the streets.
'multitudes' refers only to people, not to objects or substances.

4. the ordinary people of a society, considered as a whole and distinguished from t

4.nounC1
Definition

the ordinary people of a society, considered as a whole and distinguished from the wealthy, powerful, or elite classes — for example, a government serving the multitude rather than the rich, or entertainment made for the multitude.

Example

The film was made to entertain the multitude, not just the critics.

the multitude = ordinary people as a social group

The new tax policy will affect the multitude far more than the very wealthy.

Common collocations
  • the multitude
  • serve the multitude
  • ignore the multitude
  • the needs of the multitude
Synonyms
  • the masses

    similar meaning but more common in political and social contexts

  • the populace

    the people of a country or region; formal

  • the common people

    more transparent but less concise; emphasizes lack of privilege

Antonyms
  • the elite

    a small powerful group at the top of society

  • the aristocracy

    the highest social class, typically with inherited titles

Grammar Patterns

the multitude

Usage Note

Used with the definite article 'the' as a collective singular noun. This sense is formal or literary in register. The contrast is typically with 'the elite', 'the rich', or 'the critics'.

Common Mistakes

The multitudes are often ignored by politicians.' (when referring to ordinary people as a social class)
The multitude is often ignored by politicians.
Use the singular 'multitude' with 'the' when referring to common people as a collective social group.
Idioms

cover a multitude of sins

idiom

to hide or excuse many problems, faults, or negative aspects, often in a way that seems too convenient or deceptive

A fresh coat of paint can cover a multitude of sins in an old house.

His charming smile may cover a multitude of sins, but not forever.

cover/hide a multitude of sins

idiom

This phrase means to make something bad or unpleasant seem better than it really is.

Maya's bright smile covered a multitude of sins at the interview.

Does a fresh coat of paint really hide a multitude of sins in this old house?

Word family

  • multitudinous
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words can describe large numbers, but each adds a distinct shade of meaning. 'Abundance' emphasises plentiful supply and carries positive connotations ('an abundance of fresh fruit'). 'Host' suggests a large, organised group and has a slightly poetic or biblical feel ('a host of angels'). 'Myriad' implies an uncountably vast number and is often used attributively ('myriad possibilities'). 'Array' suggests an impressive or ordered display ('an array of products on the shelf'). Of the five, 'multitude' is the most neutral — it simply signals a very large number without adding extra colour about arrangement, quality, or emotional tone.

abundance ↗host ↗myriadarray ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a multitude of
  • multitudes of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Multitude comes from Latin 'multitudo' (a great number, a crowd), which was built from 'multus' meaning 'many, much'. The word passed into English through Old French in the 14th century, originally carrying the same dual meaning of both a large quantity and a crowd of people — a split that survives in the modern senses.