copious

adjective co·pi·ous \ˈkō-pē-əs\

: very large in amount or number

Full Definition of COPIOUS

a : yielding something abundantly <a copious harvest> <copious springs>

b : plentiful in number <copious references to other writers>

a : full of thought, information, or matter

b : profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style <a copious talker>

: present in large quantity : taking place on a large scale <copious weeping> <copious food and drink>

— co·pi·ous·ly adverb

— co·pi·ous·ness noun

See copious defined for English-language learners

See copious defined for kids

Examples of COPIOUS

It was no surprise that spin was more copious than ever during the election campaign. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001
These pockets of melted rock are rich in silica and release copious amounts of volatile gases that are held under high pressures. —Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, 7 Apr. 1998
… travelers grew accustomed to having copious helpings of meat when they visited Quimper's inn. —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
The Constants—ignorant, vulgar, and brash—had copious quantities of dumb luck. —Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., The Sirens Of Titan, 1959
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Origin of COPIOUS

Middle English, from Latin copiosus, from copia abundance, from co- + ops wealth — more at opulent

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COPIOUS

Synonyms: profuse, galore, gushing, lavish, riotous

Antonyms: dribbling, trickling

Synonym Discussion of COPIOUS

plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than sufficient without being excessive. plentiful implies a great or rich supply <peaches are plentiful this summer>. ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement <ample food to last the winter>. abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful <streams abundant with fish>. copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness <copious examples of bureaucratic waste>.

COPIOUSLY Defined for Kids