Plenty vs. Many: What's the Difference?
Plenty and Many Definitions
Plenty
A full or completely adequate amount or supply
Plenty of time.
Many
Amounting to or consisting of a large indefinite number
Many friends.
Plenty
A large quantity or amount; an abundance
"Awards and honors came to her in plenty" (Joyce Carol Oates).
Many
Being one of a large indefinite number; numerous
Many a child.
Many another day.
Plenty
A condition of general abundance or prosperity
"fruitful regions gladdened by plenty and lulled by peace!" (Samuel Johnson).
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Many
The majority of the people; the masses
"The many fail, the one succeeds" (Tennyson).
Plenty
Sufficiently; very
It's plenty hot.
Many
A large indefinite number
A good many of the workers had the flu.
Plenty
Plentiful; abundant
"Ships were then not so plenty in those waters as now" (Herman Melville).
Many
An indefinite large number of.
Not many such people enjoyed playing chess.
There are very many different ways to cook a meal.
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Plenty
A more-than-adequate amount.
We are lucky to live in a land of peace and plenty.
Many
(in combinations such as 'as many', 'so many', 'this many') Used to indicate, demonstrate or compare the number of people or things.
We don't need this many bananas. Put some back.
There may be as many as ten million species of insect.
I don't have as many friends as my sister does.
Plenty
More than enough.
I think six eggs should be plenty for this recipe.
Many
An indefinite large number of people or things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Plenty
(North America) More than sufficiently.
This office is plenty big enough for our needs.
Many
A multitude; a great aggregate; a mass of people; the generality; the common herd.
Democracy must balance the rights of the few against the will of the many.
Plenty
Used as an intensifier, very.
She was plenty mad at him.
Many
A considerable number.
Plenty
(nonstandard) much, enough
There'll be plenty time later for that
Many
Existing in large number; numerous.
Plenty
(nonstandard) many
Get a manicure. Plenty men do it.
Many
A retinue of servants; a household.
Plenty
(obsolete) plentiful
Many
The populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a community.
After him the rascal many ran.
Plenty
Full or adequate supply; enough and to spare; sufficiency; specifically, abundant productiveness of the earth; ample supply for human wants; abundance; copiousness.
Houses of office stuffed with plentee.
The teeming clouds Descend in gladsome plenty o'er the world.
Many
A large or considerable number.
A many of our bodies shall no doubtFind native graves.
Seeing a great many in rich gowns.
It will be concluded by many that he lived like an honest man.
He is liable to a great many inconveniences.
Plenty
Plentiful; abundant.
If reasons were as plenty as blackberries.
Those countries where shrubs are plenty.
Many
Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.
Thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
Plenty
A full supply;
There was plenty of food for everyone
Many
A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number;
Many temptations
The temptations are many
A good many
A great many
Many directions
Take as many apples as you like
Too many clouds to see
Never saw so many people
Plenty
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Plenty
As much as necessary;
Have I eaten enough?
I've had plenty, thanks
