First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1plenty
noun plen·ty \ˈplen-tē\
: the state of having enough of the things that make life good and easy
Full Definition of PLENTY
1
a : a full or more than adequate amount or supply <had plenty of time to finish the job> b : a large number or amount <in plenty of trouble>
2
: the quality or state of being copious : plentifulness
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Origin of PLENTY
Middle English plente, from Anglo-French plenté, from Late Latin plenitat-, plenitas, from Latin, fullness, from plenus full — more at full
Related to PLENTY
- Synonyms
- abundance, cornucopia, feast, plenitude, plentitude, plethora, superabundance, wealth, embarrassment of riches
- Antonyms
- deficiency, inadequacy, insufficiency, undersupply
2plenty
adjective
Definition of PLENTY
1
: plentiful in amount, number, or supply <if reasons were as plenty as blackberries — Shakespeare>
2
: ample <plenty work to be done — Time>
Usage Discussion of PLENTY
Many commentators object to use of sense 2 in writing; it appears to be limited chiefly to spoken English. Sense 1 is literary but is no longer in common use.
First Known Use of PLENTY
14th century
Related to PLENTY
Rhymes with PLENTY
3plenty
adverb
: to a great degree : more than enough
Full Definition of PLENTY
: more than sufficiently : to a considerable degree <the nights were plenty cold — F. B. Gipson>
See plenty defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of PLENTY
Many handbooks advise avoiding the adverb plenty in writing; “use very, quite, or a more precise word,” they advise. Actually plenty is often a more precise word than its recommended replacements; very, fully, or quite will not work as well in these typical quotations <it's already plenty hot for us in the kitchen without some dolt opening the oven — C. H. Bridges> <may not be rising quite as rapidly as other health costs, but it is going up plenty fast — Changing Times>. It is not used in more formal writing.
First Known Use of PLENTY
1842
PLENTY Defined for Kids
plenty
noun plen·ty \ˈplen-tē\
Definition of PLENTY for Kids
: a full supply : more than enough
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