plural
plural — noun
1. in grammar, the word shape used for talking about two or more people or things.
in grammar, the word shape used for talking about two or more people or things.
In English class, Ms. Lee explained that children is the plural of child.
the plural of + singular noun
The plural of mouse confused Ben during Friday's spelling quiz.
Our teacher wrote the plural beside each singular noun on the board.
contrast: plural and singular
After dinner, Nora asked whether cactus has two acceptable plurals.
The worksheet asked students to change each word into its plural.
- the plural of child
- an irregular plural
- write the plural
- change a noun into the plural
- plural and singular
- plural form
the most common grammar phrase for this meaning.
- word in the plural
a longer teaching phrase rather than a fixed technical term.
- singular
the form used for one person or thing.
Grammar Patterns
the plural of + singular noun
in the plural
Usage Note
Often appears in the pattern 'the plural of X is Y' or in explanations such as 'write the noun in the plural'. Distinguish from adjective sense 3, where 'plural' describes another grammar word, as in 'a plural noun'.
Common Mistakes
plural — adjective
1. showing the grammar form used for two or more people or things.
showing the grammar form used for two or more people or things.
At the whiteboard, Mr. Chen showed that 'these' is plural and 'this' is singular.
be plural / singular in grammar
Ms. Wang asked the class to circle every plural noun in blue.
plural + noun
While marking Mina's quiz, Mr. Lin said -s often marks a plural form.
plural form
On the worksheet, women and children were the only plural words.
During the game, Leo forgot that feet is plural, not singular.
- plural noun
- plural form
- plural pronoun
- plural ending
- be plural
- non-singular
a more technical grammar label used in linguistics.
- singular
the grammar form used for one person or thing.
Grammar Patterns
plural + noun
be plural
Usage Note
This is the grammar sense used before words like 'noun', 'pronoun', 'form', and 'ending', or after forms such as 'these' and 'feet'. Distinguish from noun sense 1: the noun names the category itself, while this adjective describes a word as belonging to that category.
Common Mistakes
2. made up of many different kinds of people, ideas, or things.
made up of many different kinds of people, ideas, or things.
Our school serves a plural community with families from twenty countries.
formal: plural + community
The city has a plural society shaped by many languages and religions.
City Hall planned a festival for the town's plural culture.
formal: plural + culture
The museum shows the island's plural history through photos and family letters.
- a plural community
- plural culture
- plural history
- a plural society
- diverse
more common and less formal in everyday English.
- mixed
everyday word for things made from different parts or groups.
- multicultural
more specific to different cultures or ethnic groups.
- uniform
emphasizes sameness rather than variety.
Grammar Patterns
plural + noun
Usage Note
Formal and usually found before nouns such as 'society', 'culture', 'community', or 'history'. Distinguish from adjective sense 2: this sense stresses different kinds within the whole, not simply a number greater than one.
3. involving several people or several things instead of just one alone.
involving several people or several things instead of just one alone.
The plan reflects the plural interests of farmers, shop owners, and teachers.
formal: plural + interests
After the funeral, the house stayed under plural ownership between two sisters.
The club uses plural leadership, with three adults sharing every big decision.
formal: plural + leadership
The film gives plural voices to workers, parents, and young students.
The clinic faces plural responsibilities to children, parents, and teachers.
- plural interests
- plural ownership
- plural leadership
- plural voices
- plural needs
Grammar Patterns
plural + abstract noun
Usage Note
Formal and often used before abstract nouns such as 'interests', 'voices', 'leadership', or 'ownership'. Distinguish from adjective sense 1: this sense only marks that several people or things are involved, without highlighting difference in kind.