abundance
uh-BUN-duns
/əˈbʌndəns/
A very large quantity of something.
Implies a plentiful supply, often more than enough. It can refer to material goods, natural resources, or even abstract concepts.
The story behind the word. The word 'abundance' comes from the Latin 'abundantia,' meaning 'fullness' or 'plenty.' This, in turn, is derived from 'abundare,' which means 'to overflow' or 'to be in great quantity.' Imagine a river overflowing its banks, bringing rich soil to the land – that's the feeling of 'abundance.' The 'ab-' prefix means 'from' or 'away,' and 'undare' means 'to surge' or 'to flow like a wave.' So, it's about things flowing forth in great quantities.
Word relationships
- plenty: More informal, but similar in meaning.
- profusion: Suggests a lavish or extravagant quantity, often implying a dense or overflowing amount.
- copiousness: Emphasizes fullness and ample supply, often in a literary context.
- scarcity: The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
- dearth: A scarcity or lack of something.
- lack: The state of not having enough of something.
Commonly confused with
- sufficiency: 'Sufficiency' means 'enough for a purpose,' while 'abundance' means 'more than enough,' a plentiful supply.
Word family
- abundant (adjective): Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
- abundantly (adverb): In large quantities; plentifully.
Collocations
- an abundance of
- in abundance
- great abundance
- natural abundance
- spiritual abundance
Idioms & expressions
- horn of abundance (cornucopia)
Example sentences
- "The region was blessed with an abundance of fertile land and fresh water." Natural resources
- "The speaker addressed the crowd with an abundance of enthusiasm and optimism." Figurative use
- "After a successful harvest, there was an abundance of fresh produce at the market." Food supply
Memory hook
An 'ABUNDANCE' of apples means you have 'A BUNCH' of them. A BUNCH
When not to use
Avoid 'abundance' for small or insufficient quantities. It always implies a large, ample amount.
Fun facts
- The 'horn of plenty,' or cornucopia, is an ancient symbol of abundance and nourishment, often depicted overflowing with produce.
Related words
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