plethora

plethora — noun

1. a supply or number of things that is unusually big, often so much that some of i

1.nounC2
Definition

a supply or number of things that is unusually big, often so much that some of it seems unnecessary or hard to deal with.

Example

After the fair, the office had a plethora of free calendars and pens.

plethora of + plural noun

Online stores offer a plethora of phone cases before each new model launches.

Common collocations
  • a plethora of choices
  • a plethora of information
  • a plethora of products
  • a plethora of warnings
  • a plethora of reasons
Synonyms
  • abundance

    more neutral and often positive; 'plethora' more often suggests excess

  • surplus

    used especially for extra amounts beyond practical need

  • profusion

    more literary and often emphasizes rich variety

  • glut

    stronger and more negative, especially for too much in a market

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a plethora of + plural noun

a plethora of + uncountable noun

Usage Note

Usually followed by of + a plural noun or a mass noun. It often sounds slightly critical or amused because it suggests there is too much of something, not simply a welcome abundance.

Common Mistakes

The website gives a plethora choices.
The website gives a plethora of choices.
'plethora' normally needs 'of' before the noun.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • a plethora of choices
  • a plethora of information
  • a plethora of products
  • a plethora of rules

Phrases

  • a plethora of options
  • a plethora of reasons

Prepositions

  • plethora of