a lot

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

lot /lɑt/   n. 

1. [countable] one of a set of objects, as straws or pebbles, drawn or thrown from a container to decide a question or choice by chance.
2. the casting or drawing of such objects:
   [uncountable] to choose a person by lot.
3. fate;
   fortune;
   destiny:
   [countable* usually singular] Her lot was not a happy one.
4. a distinct piece of land:
   [countable] a building lot.
5. a distinct piece or parcel, as of merchandise:
   [countable] The furniture was auctioned off in 20 lots.
6. the whole number or amount of things or persons:
   [uncountable* the + ~;

   usually used with a plural verb]

   The whole lot of them are missing.
7. kind;
   sort:
   [countable* usually singular;

   usually: a + ~]

   That group's a bad lot.
8. a great many: [a + ~ + of + plural noun]
   [countable] a lot of books.
   [lots + of + plural noun]
   She had lots of books.
9. a great deal: [a + ~ + of + uncountable noun]
   [countable] They had a lot of money.
   [lots + of + uncountable noun]
   She had lots of money.

Idioms

10. Idioms a lot, to a great degree;
    much:
    I feel a lot better.
11. Idioms draw or cast lots, to settle a question by the use of lots:
    They drew lots to decide.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lot  (lot), n., v., lot•ted, lot•ting, adv. 
n. 

1. one of a set of objects, as straws or pebbles, drawn or thrown from a container to decide a question or choice by chance.
2. the casting or drawing of such objects as a method of deciding something:
   to choose a person by lot.
3. the decision or choice made by such a method.
4. allotted share or portion:
   to receive one's lot of an inheritance.
5. the portion in life assigned by fate or Providence;
   one's fate, fortune, or destiny:
   Her lot had not been a happy one.
6. a distinct portion or piece of land:
   a building lot.
7. a piece of land forming a part of a district, city, or other community.
8. Dialect Terms [South Midland and Southern U.S.] a farmyard or barnyard.
9. a piece of land having the use specified by the attributive noun or adjective:
   a parking lot; a used-car lot.
10. Show Business [Motion Pictures.] a motion-picture studio and its surrounding property.
11. a distinct portion or parcel of anything, as of merchandise:
    The furniture was to be auctioned off in 20 lots.
12. a number of things or persons collectively:
    There's one more, and that's the lot.
13. kind of person;
    sort:
    He's a bad lot.
14. Often, lots. a great many or a great deal:
    a lot of books; lots of money.
15. British Terms [Chiefly Brit.] a tax or duty.
16. Idioms cast or cast in one's lot with, to ally oneself with;
    share the life and fortunes of:
    She had cast her lot with the bohemian crowd.
17. Idioms draw or cast lots, to settle a question by the use of lots:
    They drew lots to see who would go first.

v.t. 

18. to divide or distribute by lot (sometimes fol. by out):
    to lot furniture for sale; to lot out apples by the basketful.
19. to assign to one as his or her lot;
    allot.
20. to divide into lots, as land.
21. [Obs.] to cast or draw lots for.

v.i. 

22. to draw lots.

adv. 

23. Often, lots. a great deal;
    greatly:
    Thanks a lot for the ride. I care lots about my family.

• bef. 950; 1805–15 for def. 14; Middle English; Old English hlot portion, choice, decision; cognate with Dutch lot, Old Norse hlutr; akin to Old English hlīet, German Los, Old Norse hlaut, Gothic hlauts lot

lot′ter, n. 
Synonyms

• 4. part, quota.
• 7. plot, parcel.
• 12. group, crowd, gang.

Lot  (lot), n. 

1. Bible the nephew of Abraham. His wife was changed into a pillar of salt for looking back during their flight from Sodom. Gen. 13:1–12, 19.

Lot  (lôt), n. 

1. Place Names a river in S France, flowing W to the Garonne. 300 mi. (480 km) long.
2. Place Names a department in S France. 150,725;
   2018 sq. mi. (5225 sq. km). Cap.: Cahors.

lot., 

1. Drugs (in prescriptions) a lotion.

• Latin lōtiō