In Order of Amount, Number
Some terms we use to describe an amount, supply, or number are relativethat is, more or less than the next term. They can be put in order. The words in each of the following lists are in order; they proceed from the smaller to the larger amount or number.
some, several, numerous
multiple, many, countless
adequate, abundant
none, rare, few
Words describing frequency, or how often something happens, can also be put in order. How would you order the following words from least frequent to most frequent?
often
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never
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sometimes
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rarely
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Most people would agree on this order: never, rarely, sometimes, often.
Many, Much, Enough
Terms we use to indicate many include some, several, various, multiple, and numerous. Countless means so many that they cannot be counted, as do myriad and innumerable.
Abundant and copious are most commonly used to refer to a very large supply of something: The country's abundant oil resources made it rich. The student took copious notes of the lectures. Abundant and copious mean more than enough, more than adequate, or more than sufficient. (Enough, adequate, and sufficient are used almost interchangeably; they do not vary by degree.)
Too Many, Too Much
Excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, and immoderate all mean "too many" or "too much."
Excessive is used in the broadest range of contexts and meanings and means "more than what is needed or required": The police officers were accused of using excessive force when they arrested the suspect.
Exorbitant is usually used to mean "more than is fair," as in "exorbitant prices."
Extravagant is most commonly encountered in relation to spending or purchases: The new coat was an extravagant purchase.
Immoderate is often used in the context of lack of judgment or reason where moderation should rule, as in "immoderate eating" or "immoderate drinking."
Few, Little
Paltry indicates an amount having little value, worth, or importance: "A paltry sum" or "a paltry amount of money" is not much money. Measly also means "having little value": The firm gave its managers a measly 2 percent pay increase.
Meager indicates lacking in quantity or quality: The meager meal did not satisfy her hunger.
Two nouns that mean lacking in number or amount are paucity and dearth. Paucity is used in more situations than dearth; paucity can refer to lacking in number (a paucity of trees or a paucity of students) or to lacking in amount (a paucity of oil). Dearth often refers to a scarcity or lack of food.
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