most

UK: /ˈməʊst/ US: /moʊst/ ,(mōst)

From many (adj):

more

adj comparative

most

adj superlative

From much (adj):

more

adj comparative

most

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

most /moʊst/   adj., [superlative of] much or many with more as comparative.

[before a noun]
1. in the greatest number, amount, or degree: [before a plural noun] :
   [the + ~] He received the most votes.
   [before a uncountable noun] :
   She has the most talent.
2. in the majority of instances;
   more than half:
   [before a plural noun] Most operations are successful.

n. [uncountable]

3. the greatest quantity, amount, or degree:
   [the + ~] The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
4. the greatest number or greater part of what is specified:
   [~ + of] Most of his writing is rubbish.
5. the greatest number:
   [the + ~] The most this room will seat is 150.
6. the majority of persons:
   to be happier than most.
7. Slang Terms the most, the very best of something:
   thought her boyfriend was the most.

adv., [superl. of much with more as compar.]

8. in or to the greatest extent or degree:
   [often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables] most rapid;
   She behaved most wisely;
   He worked most carefully.
9. very:
   This murder is a most puzzling case.
10. [Informal.] almost or nearly:
    Most everyone around here shops at this place.

Idioms

11. Idioms at (the) most, at the maximum:
    Jog for one hour at (the) most.
12. Idioms for the most part, on the whole;
    generally;
    usually:
    For the most part we walked, but occasionally we biked.
13. Idioms make the most of, [~ + object] to use to greatest advantage:
    Make the most of your opportunities.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

most  (mōst), adj., [superl. of much or many with more as compar.]

1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number:
   to win the most votes.
2. in the majority of instances:
   Most operations are successful.
3. greatest, as in size or extent:
   the most talent.
4. Idioms for the most part. See part (def. 18).

n. 

5. the greatest quantity, amount, or degree;
   the utmost:
   The most I can hope for is a passing grade.
6. the greatest number or the majority of a class specified:
   Most of his writing is rubbish.
7. the greatest number:
   The most this room will seat is 150.
8. the majority of persons:
   to be more sensitive than most.
9. Idioms at the most, at the maximum. Also, at most. 
10. Idioms make the most of, to use to greatest advantage;
    utilize fully:
    to make the most of an opportunity.
11. Slang Terms the most, the ultimate in something:
    He's the most. That movie was the most.

adv., [superl. of much with more as compar.]

12. in or to the greatest extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form superlative phrases having the same force and effect as the superlative degree formed by the termination -est):
    most rapid; most wisely.
13. very:
    a most puzzling case.
14. Informal Terms almost or nearly.

• bef. 900; Middle English most(e), Old English māst; replacing Middle English mest(e), Old English mǣst; cognate with German meist, Gothic maists. See more

Synonyms

• 14. See almost. 

Usage

14. The adverb most, a shortened form of almost, is far from being either a recent development or an Americanism. It goes back to the 16th century in England, where it is now principally a dialect form. In American English it occurs before such pronouns as all, anyone, anybody, everyone, and everybody;
the adjectives all, any, and every;
and adverbs like anywhere and everywhere: Most everyone around here is related to everyone else. You can find that plant most anywhere. This use of most is often objected to, but it is common in the informal speech of educated persons. It is less common in edited writing except in representations of speech.

-most, 

1. a combining form of most occurring in a series of superlatives:
   foremost; utmost.

• Middle English -most; replacing Middle English, Old English -mest, double superlative suffix, equivalent. to -ma superlative suffix (as in Old English forma first; compare Latin prīmus) + -est¹; later identified with most

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

most / məʊst/ determiner

1. a great majority of; nearly all: most people like eggs
2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): most of them don't know, most of it is finished
3. the most ⇒
   the superlative of many, much: you have the most money, the most apples
4. (as pronoun): the most I can afford is forty pounds
5. at most, at the most ⇒ at the maximum: that girl is four at the most
6. make the most of ⇒ to use to the best advantage: she makes the most of her accent

adverb

1. the most ⇒ used to form the superlative of some adjectives and adverbs
2. the superlative of much: people welcome a drink most after work
3. (intensifier): a most absurd story

Etymology: Old English māst or mǣst, whence Middle English moste, mēst; compare Old Frisian maest, Old High German meist, Old Norse mestrUSAGE
More and most should be distinguished when used in comparisons. More applies to cases involving two persons, objects, etc, most to cases involving three or more

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•y /ˈmɛni/   adj., more/mɔr/  most /moʊst/   n., pron. 

adj. 

1. forming a large number;
   numerous:
   [before a plural noun] many people.
2. noting each one of a large number:
   [~ + a + singular countable noun] For many a day it rained.

n. [countable]

3. a large number of persons or things:
   [a + adjective + ~ + of the + plural noun] A good many of the beggars were blind.
4. the many, [plural* used with a plural verb] the greater part of humankind:
   The needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few.

pron. [used with a plural verb]

5. many persons or things:
   Many were unable to attend. Many of us dislike your new policies.

Idioms

6. Idioms many a time, again and again;
   frequently.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

more /mɔr/   adj.,  [comparative of] much or many with most as superlative.

1. in greater quantity, amount, or number:
   I need more money. She had more coins than I did.
2. additional or further:
   Do you need more time?

n. [uncountable]

3. an additional quantity, amount, or number:
   Would you like more?
4. a greater quantity, amount, or degree:
   The price is more than I thought. Their report is more than just a survey.

pron. 

5. a greater number of persons or of a specified class:
   [used with a plural verb] More have been injured than ever.

adv., [compar. of much with most as superl.]

6. in or to a greater extent or degree:
   [often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables] Things have become more interesting. The car moved more slowly.
7. in addition;
   further;
   again:
   Let's talk more tomorrow.

Idioms

8. Idioms more and more,  to an increasing extent or degree: 
   I love you more and more every day.
9. Idioms more or less, to some extent;
   somewhat:
   We came to more or less the same conclusion.
10. what is more, (used to introduce information that supports the truth of what has been said):
    This airline is terrible: the planes are always late and what is more, they're hot and uncomfortable.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

much /mʌtʃ/   adj., more/mɔr/  most/moʊst/   n., pron., adv., more, most. 
adj. 

1. great in amount, measure, or degree:
   [before a uncountable noun] much wasted effort.

n. [uncountable] , pron. 

2. a great quantity, measure, or degree:
   not much to do; He owed much of his success to his family.
3. a great, important, or notable thing or matter:
   He isn't much to look at.
4. an amount or degree of something:
   How much does it cost?

adv. 

5. to a great extent or degree:
   to talk too much.
6. nearly, approximately, or about:
   That book is much like the others.
7. Idioms much as:
   • almost to the same degree as:
     Babies need love, much as they need food.
   • (used to express a contrast between one clause and another) even though;
     although:
     Much as he wants to go to Iceland, he won't.

Idioms

8. I thought as much, (used to express the speaker's belief that what precedes was expected):
   "The police haven't found your stolen car yet.'' --"I thought as much; it will probably never turn up.''
9. make much of, [ + object] to treat or consider (something) as being important:
   Her opponent tried to make much of the fact that she had tried marijuana as a college student.
10. not much of a, not a very good example of (something):
    We didn't have much of a holiday: rain, cold weather, and flu.
11. so much for, (used to express the speaker's belief that the next thing mentioned is finished, or has no chance of being successful):
    Look at this traffic jam; so much for arriving on time!

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•y  (men′ē), adj., more, most, n., pron. 
adj. 

1. constituting or forming a large number;
   numerous:
   many people.
2. noting each one of a large number (usually fol. by a or an):
   For many a day it rained.

n. 

3. a large or considerable number of persons or things:
   A good many of the beggars were blind.
4. the many, the greater part of humankind.

pron. 

5. many persons or things:
   Many of the beggars were blind. Many were unable to attend.

• bef. 900; Middle English mani, meni, Old English manig, menig; akin to Old Saxon, Old High German manag, menig, Danish mange, Gothic manags

Synonyms

• 1. multifarious, multitudinous, myriad; divers, sundry, various.
  Many, innumerable, manifold, numerous imply the presence or succession of a large number of units.
  Many is a popular and common word for this idea:
  many times.
  Numerous, a more formal word, refers to a great number or to very many units:
  letters too numerous to mention.
  Innumerable denotes a number that is beyond count or, more loosely, that is extremely difficult to count:
  the innumerable stars in the sky.
  Manifold implies not only that the number is large but also that there is variety or complexity.

Antonyms

• 1. few, single.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

more  (môr, mōr), adj., [compar. of] much [or] many [with] most [as superl.]

1. in greater quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number:
   I need more money.
2. additional or further:
   Do you need more time? More discussion seems pointless.

n. 

3. an additional quantity, amount, or number:
   I would give you more if I had it. He likes her all the more. When I could take no more of such nonsense, I left.
4. a greater quantity, amount, or degree:
   More is expected of him. The price is more than I thought.
5. something of greater importance:
   His report is more than a survey.
6. (used with a pl. v.) a greater number of a class specified, or the greater number of persons:
   More will attend this year than ever before.

adv. [compar. of much with most as superl.]

7. in or to a greater extent or degree (in this sense often used before adjectives and adverbs, and regularly before those of more than two syllables, to form comparative phrases having the same force and effect as the comparative degree formed by the termination -er):
   more interesting; more slowly.
8. in addition;
   further;
   longer;
   again:
   Let's talk more another time. We couldn't stand it any more.
9. moreover.
10. Idioms more and more, to an increasing extent or degree;
    gradually more:
    They became involved more and more in stock speculation.
11. more or less:
    • Idioms to some extent;
      somewhat:
      She seemed more or less familiar with the subject.
    • Idioms about;
      in substance;
      approximately:
      We came to more or less the same conclusion.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English māra; cognate with Old High German mēro, Old Norse meiri, Gothic maiza. See most

more′ness, n. 

More  (môr, mōr), n. 

1. Biographical Hannah, 1745–1833, English writer on religious subjects.
2. Biographical Paul Elmer, 1864–1937, U.S. essayist, critic, and editor.
3. Biographical Sir Thomas, 1478–1535, English humanist, statesman, and author: canonized in 1935.

Mo•ré  (mə rā′), n. 

1. Language Varieties Mossi (def. 2).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

much  (much), adj., more, most, n., adv., more, most. 
adj. 

1. great in quantity, measure, or degree:
   too much cake.

n. 

2. a great quantity, measure, or degree:
   Much of his research was unreliable.
3. a great, important, or notable thing or matter:
   The house is not much to look at.
4. Idioms make much of:
   • to treat, represent, or consider as of great importance:
     to make much of trivial matters.
   • to treat with great consideration;
     show fondness for;
     flatter.

adv. 

5. to a great extent or degree;
   greatly;
   far:
   to talk too much; much heavier.
6. nearly, approximately, or about:
   This is much like the others.
7. much as:
   • Idioms almost the same as:
     We need exercise, much as we need nourishment.
   • Idioms however much:
     Much as she wanted to stay at the party, she had to leave.

• 1150–1200; Middle English muche, moche, apocopated variant of muchel, mochel, Old English mycel; replacing Middle English miche(l), Old English micel great, much (compare mickle), cognate with Old Norse mikill, Gothic mikils, Greek mégal-, suppletive stem of mégas great

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

-most suffix

1. forming the superlative degree of some adjectives and adverbs: hindmost, uppermost

Etymology: Old English -mǣst, -mest, originally a superlative suffix, later mistakenly taken as derived from mǣst (adv) most

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

many / ˈmɛnɪ/ determiner

1. sometimes preceded by a great or a good: a large number of: many coaches, many times
2. (as pronoun; functioning as plural): many are seated already
3. followed by a, an, or another, and a singular noun: each of a considerable number of: many a man
4. preceded by as, too, that, etc: a great number of: as many apples as you like, too many clouds to see
5. (as pronoun; functioning as plural): I have as many as you

noun

1. the many ⇒ the majority of humankind, esp ordinary people
   Compare few7

See also more, mostEtymology: Old English manig; related to Old Frisian manich, Middle Dutch menech, Old High German manag

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

much / mʌtʃ/ determiner

1. (usually used with a negative) a great quantity or degree of: there isn't much honey left
2. (as pronoun): much has been learned from this
3. a bit much ⇒ rather excessive
4. make much of ⇒
   See make of4
5. not up to much ⇒ of a low standard: this beer is not up to much

adverb

1. considerably: they're much better now
2. practically; nearly (esp in the phrase much the same)
3. (usually used with a negative) often; a great deal: it doesn't happen much in this country
4. much as, as much as ⇒ even though; although: much as I'd like to, I can't come

See also more, mostEtymology: Old English mycel; related to Old English micel great, Old Saxon mikil, Gothic mikils; compare also Latin magnus, Greek megas