What does plural mean?
Plural is a word used chiefly to describe more than one person, thing, or part, and it also has important grammatical uses. As an adjective, it can characterize a group or form that contains multiple members: “a plural committee” is not merely a single committee but one involving several people. As a noun, “plural” names the grammatical category opposed to singular, including both the concept of multiplicity and the particular form a word takes when it refers to several people or things. “Plurals” therefore refers to those separate forms, such as the plural of “child.” In contemporary usage, “plural” can also mean varied or diverse, especially in expressions such as “plural perspectives,” where it suggests that several distinct viewpoints are represented. The word is common in education, politics, law, and general discussion, but its basic meaning—more than one—is straightforward.
Consisting of or denoting more than one person or thing; involving multiple members or forms.
"The organization has adopted a plural approach to decision-making."
In its broadest use, “plural” can suggest diversity of views or aspects as well as numerical multiplicity.
The grammatical number or form used to refer to more than one person or thing.
"The noun changes from singular to plural when the modifier is removed."
The plural form of a noun is often described as its “plural”; the term can also refer collectively to the grammatical category.
To treat a group, collection, or subject as consisting of separate individuals, parts, or perspectives.
"The workshop pluralizes a complex narrative into several interwoven voices."
This use is less common than the adjective and noun meanings, and it often appears in discussions of interpretation, representation, or artistic technique.
Use “plurals” for separate grammatical forms referring to more than one person or thing, or for multiple instances of a particular plural form.
"The irregular plurals of some English nouns must be learned individually."
The word “plural” comes from Latin plus, meaning “more”: it originally described a number greater than one, and later became a grammatical term.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plural come from?
The English word comes from Latin pluralis, meaning “of or belonging to more than one,” from plus, meaning “more.” It entered English in the late Middle English period and initially referred to multiplicity before becoming established as a grammatical term. Its relatives include “plurality,” “pluralism,” and “pluralize,” all developed from the same Latin foundation.
Related word forms
How plural is actually used
“Plural” is standard in formal and informal English. In grammar, it refers both to grammatical number and to the word form used to express that number. When used to mean “consisting of more than one,” it is generally used with countable nouns or groups.