most
(mōst)
[Middle English, from Old English mǣst, māst, Adv., sense 3, short for almost.]
adjective
- Greatest in number: won the most votes.
- Greatest in amount, extent, or degree: has the most compassion.
- In the greatest number of instances: Most fish have fins.
noun
- The greatest amount or degree: She has the most to gain.
- Slang The greatest, best, or most exciting. Used with the: That party was the most!
pron.
- The greatest part or number: Most of the town was destroyed. Most of the books were missing.
adverb
- In or to the highest degree or extent. Used with many adjectives and adverbs to form the superlative degree: most honest; most impatiently.
- Very: a most impressive piece of writing.
- Informal Almost: Most everyone agrees.
idioms
- at (the) most
- At the maximum: We saw him for ten minutes at the most. She ran two miles at most.
man·y
(mĕńē)
[Middle English, from Old English manig.]
adjective: more (môr, mōr), most (mōst)
- Being one of a large indefinite number; numerous: many a child; many another day.
- Amounting to or consisting of a large indefinite number: many friends.
noun
- A large indefinite number: A good many of the workers had the flu.
- The majority of the people; the masses: “The many fail, the one succeeds” (Tennyson)
pron.
- A large number of persons or things: “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)
idioms
- as many
- The same number of: moved three times in as many years.
much
(mŭch)
[Middle English muche, short for muchel, from Old English mycel.]
adjective: more (môr, mōr), most (mōst)
- Great in quantity, degree, or extent: not much rain; much affection.
noun
- A large quantity or amount: Much has been written.
- Something great or remarkable: The campus wasn't much to look at.
adverb: more, most.
- To a great degree or extent: much smarter.
- Just about; almost: much the same.
- Frequently; often: doesn't get out much.
idioms
- as much
- Almost the same: I thought as much. She said as much.
