multitude

[muhl-ti-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. a great number; host.

   a multitude of friends.

2. a great number of people gathered together; crowd; throng.

   Synonyms: mass

3. the state or character of being many; numerousness.

4. the multitude, the common people; the masses.

multitude

/ ˈmʌltɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a large gathering of people

2. the common people

3. a large number

4. the state or quality of being numerous

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English word from Latin word multitūdō. See multi-, -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of multitude¹

C14: via Old French from Latin multitūdō

Synonym Study

See crowd ¹.

Example Sentences

"You'd be forgiven for thinking it's the world's biggest hen party," said Radio 1's Jack Saunders, surveying the multitude of pink cowboy hats in the audience.

From BBC

When investigators reveal systemic violations, they can require what’s known as a global correction, forcing insurers or plan administrators to fix a problem across multitudes of plans and patients.

From Salon

These are memories that I will continue to hold and own but I am eternally grateful that no one, including myself, captured them on film, much less shared them with the multitudes.

From Los Angeles Times

The staying power of “Sunset,” 75 years on, is due in large part to its ability to contain such multitudes.

From Los Angeles Times

Israel came into being in 1948, but efforts to create a parallel state of Palestine have foundered, for a multitude of reasons.

From BBC

Related Words

• horde 
• legion 
• myriad 
• slew 
• throng