numerous

Everyday

1. Very many; a great number of: numerous mistakes. tree →
2. (formal) Made up of many people or things: a numerous family. tree →

In the lessons

Common in formal writing, reports and exams instead of «lots of» or «many». It tells the reader there are many, but not an exact number. In maths problems «numerous» does not give a number, so you cannot use it to calculate. Phrases: on numerous occasions, numerous times, too numerous to count.

Examples

• I have told you numerous times to tidy up. tree →
• The library has numerous books about dinosaurs. tree →
• There were numerous birds on the lake. tree →
• She has won numerous medals for swimming. tree →
• Numerous people came to the fair. tree →
• The stars are too numerous to count. tree →
• We found numerous mistakes in the story. tree →
• It was a Friday, so these were more numerous than usual. tree →

Note

Used with plural countable nouns: numerous books, not «numerous water». Formal; speech: «lots of», «loads of» (informal). Do not confuse with «numerical» (to do with numbers). In maths: no exact amount.

In Jewish tradition

Common in formal writing, reports and exams instead of «lots of» or «many». It tells the reader there are many, but not an exact number. In maths problems «numerous» does not give a number, so you cannot use it to calculate. Phrases: on numerous occasions, numerous times, too numerous to count.

Examples

• He endeavors to show how the ideal became, after numerous emanations, more condensed, palpable and concrete. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• In spite of the numerous works written on Hebrew orthography since the beginning of the tenth century, there is not one which may be considered as really based on the Hebrew. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a numerous people. (Writings PSA.35.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Used with plural countable nouns: numerous books, not «numerous water». Formal; speech: «lots of», «loads of» (informal). Do not confuse with «numerical» (to do with numbers). In maths: no exact amount.