The phrase “as many as” is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is often used to describe a large number of something and is used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to academic writing. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, root words, and example sentences of “as many as.”
Definitions
“As many as” is an idiomatic expression that means “a large number of” or “as many as possible.” It is often used to describe a quantity of something that exceeds expectations or is surprising. For example, “As many as ten people showed up to the party” suggests that ten people is a larger number than expected.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “as many as” is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the English language in the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “as many as” is defined as “used to indicate a large number or quantity.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “used to suggest that a number or amount is surprisingly large.”
Associations
The phrase “as many as” is often associated with surprise, astonishment, and disbelief. It is also associated with abundance, plenty, and excess.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “as many as” include:
- Numerous.
- Abundant.
- Plenty.
- Copious.
- Ample.
- Profuse.
- Galore.
- Innumerable.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of “as many as” include:
- Few.
- Scarce.
- Sparse.
- Limited.
- Insufficient.
- Scanty.
The same root words
The phrase “as many as” does not have any specific root words, as it is an idiomatic expression.
Example Sentences
- As many as ten people showed up to the party.
- The store had as many as fifty different types of cheese.
- As many as five tornadoes touched down in the area.
- The company received as many as a hundred job applications.
- As many as twenty cars were involved in the accident.