numerous

adjective

nu·​mer·​ous ˈnü-mə-rəs 

ˈnüm-rə-;

ˈnyü-mə-,

ˈnyüm-rə-

: consisting of great numbers of units or individuals

born into a numerous family

also : many

received numerous complaints

The people I'd like to thank are too numerous to mention.

numerously adverb

numerousness noun

Synonyms

• beaucoup [slang]
• legion
• many
• multifold
• multiple
• multiplex
• multitudinous

Examples of numerous in a Sentence

She decided to leave for numerous reasons.

The birds are becoming more numerous in this area.

Recent Examples on the Web

In her 30-year career, Laura has won numerous national awards for coverage of human trafficking, child welfare, crime and government secrecy. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025

There have been numerous court hearings - a huge amount of confrontation with these accusations. —Reuters, CNN Money, 26 May 2025

Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images Why is Memorial Day celebrated Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1968, though records indicate it has been celebrated across numerous cities and towns following the end of the 1865 Civil War. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 May 2025

House Speaker Matt Ritter, a Hartford Democrat who controls the agenda, keeps a close eye on the clock in the final days as numerous lawmakers want their bills on a wide variety of issues to pass in a scramble before the midnight adjournment. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin numerōsus, from numerus number entry 2 + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing numerous

• too numerous to list
• too numerous to mention

Rhymes for numerous

• humerus
• humorous

Kids Definition

numerous

adjective

nu·​mer·​ous ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rəs 

: consisting of great numbers

numerous friends

numerously adverb