multitude
MUL-tih-tyood
/ˈmʌltɪtjuːd/
A large number of people or things; the mass of ordinary people.
Often carries a sense of being overwhelmed by numbers or refers to 'the masses' in a slightly detached way.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'multitudo', which simply meant 'a great number'. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe both crowds and the general public.
Word relationships
- throng: A throng is a crowded, moving mass of people; a multitude is just a large number.
- host: Host is often used for a large number of things (a host of problems), while multitude is more common for people.
- handful: A small, manageable number.
- paucity: A scarcity or lack of something.
Commonly confused with
- myriad: Myriad is often used as an adjective meaning 'countless', while multitude is primarily a noun.
Word family
- multitudinous (adjective): Very numerous.
Collocations
- a multitude of sins
- the great multitude
- multitude of options
Idioms & expressions
- covers a multitude of sins
Example sentences
- "The hungry multitude was fed with only five loaves and two fishes." Classic literature citation.
- "The new software offers a multitude of features that the previous version lacked." Describing options.
Memory hook
Multi (many) + Attitude (a crowd of people with many attitudes). A massive many.
When not to use
Don't use it for a small group; it implies a vast, almost uncountable number.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'covers a multitude of sins' originally comes from the New Testament (1 Peter 4:8).
Related words
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