What does plethora mean?
A plethora is a large and usually excessive quantity of something. The word can describe a genuinely abundant supply, as in “a plethora of natural resources,” but it is especially common when the amount is inconvenient, overwhelming, or more than is needed: “a plethora of administrative forms.” It may also refer to an excessive number of similar things, such as options, opinions, or errors. “Plethora” tends to sound more formal than everyday alternatives such as “loads” or “tons,” while differing from the stronger word “glut,” which can suggest a market glut or an excessive and undesirable amount. The phrase is almost always used with “of”: “a plethora of applicants.” Although its fundamental sense is abundance, modern usage often carries a faintly critical tone, suggesting that quantity has become a problem rather than simply a benefit.
nounAn excessive quantity or abundance of something, especially when more is available than is needed or desirable.
- A very large quantity of something, especially an excessive or more-than-sufficient amount.
"The archive offers a plethora of rarely used words for careful browsing."
"The seminar attracted a plethora of questions from an unusually engaged audience."
"Reviewing the report revealed a plethora of inconsistencies that required further investigation."
Usually used in the singular, particularly in the fixed pattern “a plethora of”; the plural is uncommon.
"The successive releases produced plethoras of speculative press releases."
From a Greek word meaning abundance, “plethora” can still be neutral, but it often suggests an overwhelming or unnecessary excess.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plethora come from?
The word comes from Greek plēthōra, meaning “fullness” or “abundance,” and is related to plēthein, “to be full.” It entered English through Latin and originally referred neutrally to a plentiful supply. Over time, its common use shifted toward the idea of excessive quantity. Related English words include “pleonasm” and “pleonastic,” from a Greek root meaning “full,” while “plenary” and “plenitude” continue the broader family of words associated with fullness.
Related word forms
How plethora is actually used
Although “plethora” originally meant abundance, it is now commonly used with a mildly negative or critical implication. It often takes the pattern “a plethora of” followed by a plural noun.
Easily confused with plethora
A plethora is an excessive amount of something, whereas a pleonasm is redundant wording in which the same meaning is expressed more than once.