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plethora

noun
pleth·​o·​ra | \ ˈple-thə-rə How to pronounce plethora (audio) \

Definition of plethora

1 : a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a florid complexion
2 : abundance, profusion … Grand Cayman offers a plethora of bustling restaurants, ritzy resorts and comfortable condos …— Susanne Cummings … in a world whose credibility is threatened by the meaningless plethora of material goods it goes on producing.— W. Roy Niblett
Other Words from plethora Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about plethora

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Other Words from plethora

plethoric \ plə-​ˈthȯr-​ik How to pronounce plethoric (audio) , ple-​ , -​ˈthär-​ ; ˈple-​thə-​rik \ adjective

Did You Know?

Plethora comes from a similar Greek word meaning "fullness." It was first used in English in the 16th century to describe a supposed medical condition marked by an excess volume of blood causing swelling and a reddish complexion. Later, the medical use of "plethora" was extended to indicate related medical conditions (such as an excess volume of bodily fluid or the red-skinned appearance of some newborns). These days, however, "plethora" is more often used in a general, non-medical sense, with the meaning "excess" or "abundance."

Examples of plethora in a Sentence

There has been a plethora of plays in recent years whose claim to modernity is based on indicated rather than felt emotion. — Arthur Miller, Harper's, March 1999 The plethora of short-lived ceasefires in the Balkans and the Caucasus constitute proof that we are no longer in a world where the old rules of state warfare apply. — Robert D. Kaplan, Atlantic, February 1994 … served at the long plank table in the banquet hut, amid a plethora of toasts to progress, amity, and the overthrow of imperialism—the meal passed in a blur. — John Updike, Trust Me, (1962) 1987 In their view, there are the very few hard-pressed good guys losing the landscape to a plethora of bad guys. — Carol Bly, Letters from the Country, 1981 A plethora of books have been written on the subject. a biology textbook that is helpfully illustrated with a plethora of excellent illustrations
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Recent Examples on the Web

 There is that beautiful family — the kids going off to school and the dream software job at any tech giant with the plethora of free amenities. — Michael Eckhart, The Mercury News, "Opinion: San Jose project renews homeless man’s sense of dignity," 29 Aug. 2019 Now, with a plethora of choices, the musically healthier option to check out different interpretations is almost instinctual, especially on Idagio. — Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Classical streaming has arrived. How do the new services stack up?," 29 Aug. 2019 The Dolphins seem to have that new direction, under Flores and Grier, with a plethora of draft picks and salary cap space to use to their advantage after the 2019 season. — Safid Deen, sun-sentinel.com, "Dolphins hoping 2019 season sets stage for a team that will compete in AFC East, NFL playoffs for years to come," 26 Aug. 2019 Stammen’s contract is up at the end of this season, and the organization is at a crossroads with a plethora of unproven bullpen arms. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres notes: A place for Stammen; France, Garcia have righties to share," 26 Aug. 2019 There were few first downs, only one touchdown against the starting defense and a plethora of turnovers, including three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "Auburn offense hopes to respond in 2nd fall scrimmage, learn from its mistakes," 14 Aug. 2019 In the past, the bureau has flown evidence back to its Virginia lab for examination by a plethora of forensic experts. — Los Angeles Times, "Gilroy shooter’s computers, phones, social media focus of rampage investigation," 30 July 2019 The Navy’s shortcomings have been most vividly highlighted by a plethora of scandals in the Seventh Fleet, which operates in the western Pacific. — Andrew Cockburn, Harper's magazine, "The Military-Industrial Virus," 10 June 2019 Every spring, when the temperature begins to reach 65 degrees or above, this particular species of ladybugs mates before migrating from the Sierra Nevada to the valley to lay their eggs and be surrounded by a plethora of food. — Tainaya Nash, House Beautiful, "An 80-Mile-Wide Swarm of Ladybugs Have Taken Over the SoCal Sky," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plethora.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plethora

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for plethora

Medieval Latin, from Greek plēthōra, literally, fullness, from plēthein to be full — more at full

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More Definitions for plethora

plethora

noun
How to pronounce plethora (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of plethora

formal : a very large amount or number : an amount that is much greater than what is necessary

See the full definition for plethora in the English Language Learners Dictionary

plethora

noun
pleth·​o·​ra | \ ˈpleth-ə-rə How to pronounce plethora (audio) \

Medical Definition of plethora

: a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a reddish complexion

Other Words from plethora

plethoric \ plə-​ˈthȯr-​ik How to pronounce plethoric (audio) , ple-​ How to pronounce plethoric (audio) , -​ˈthär-​; ˈpleth-​ə-​rik \ adjective

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cataract

play

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