abundant

[uh-buhn-duhnt]

adjective

1. present in great quantity; more than adequate; oversufficient.

   an abundant supply of water.

   Synonyms: profuse, copious
   Antonyms: scarce, sparse

2. well supplied with something; abounding.

   a river abundant in salmon.

   Synonyms: rich, rich, teeming
   Antonyms: scarce, sparse

3. richly supplied, as with resources.

   an abundant land.

   Synonyms: rich, rich, teeming
   Antonyms: scarce, sparse

abundant

/ əˈbʌndənt /

adjective

1. existing in plentiful supply

2. having a plentiful supply (of)

3. (of a chemical element or mineral) occurring to an extent specified in relation to other elements or minerals in the earth's crust or some other specified environment

4. (of an isotope) occurring to an extent specified in relation to other isotopes in a mixture of isotopes

Other Word Forms

• abundantly adverb
• preabundant adjective
• preabundantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundant¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (from Middle French ), from Latin abundant- (stem of abundāns ) overflowing. See abound, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundant¹

C14: from Latin abundant-, present participle of abundāre to _abound

Synonym Study

See plentiful.

Example Sentences

Aishe has been preparing for her next life since she arrived in New York, getting stronger, smarter, faster, so that she can make the leap to an existence that’s more comfortable, safer, more abundant.

From Los Angeles Times

Pegasus Taverna — Greek food is abundant in the area, but Pegasus Taverna stands out.

From Salon

Named after the giant fish once abundant in North American lakes, the sturgeon moon is August’s full moon and has long been associated with seasonal harvests.

From Los Angeles Times

Verbal gas is abundant and facts almost nonexistent.

From Los Angeles Times

Part of the problem, he goes on, is Scotland's relationship with rain, and the perception that in a land of more than 30,000 freshwater lochs, water must surely be abundant.

From BBC

Related Words

• ample 
• bountiful 
• copious 
• generous 
• heavy 
• rich 
• sufficient