Definition of COPIOUS (original) (raw)
1
a
: yielding something abundantly
b
: plentiful in number
copious references to other writers
2
a
: full of thought, information, or matter
… Shakespeare, whose soul was so copious …—
Gilbert Highet
b
: profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style
3
: present in large quantity : taking place on a large scale
Did you know?
Despite meaning “abundance,” the Latin word copia has not led to an abundance of words in English; in other words, its descendants are far from copious—at least on the surface. There’s copious, of course, which comes from copia by way of Middle English and has been used since the 14th century, when it first described things—such as farmlands or ore deposits—that produce abundant yields. Then there’s cornucopia, which combines this same root with cornu, meaning “horn,” and refers to an inexhaustible store or abundance of something (as well as to a decorative horn or horn-shaped basket overflowing with produce and used as a symbol of abundance). Finally, there’s the commonplace word copy, used as both noun and verb. That’s all she wrote… unless you consider the mucho copious amount—nay, cornucopia—of words that start or end with copy, from copycat to photocopy to copypasta.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for copious
peaches are plentiful this summer
ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.
ample food to last the winter
abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.
streams abundant with fish
copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.
copious examples of bureaucratic waste
Examples of copious in a Sentence
It was no surprise that spin was more copious than ever during the election campaign. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001 These pockets of melted rock are rich in silica and release copious amounts of volatile gases that are held under high pressures. —Sandra Blakeslee, New York Times, 7 Apr. 1998 … travelers grew accustomed to having copious helpings of meat when they visited Quimper's inn. —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985 The Constants—ignorant, vulgar, and brash—had copious quantities of dumb luck. —Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., The Sirens Of Titan, 1959
The storm produced a copious amount of rain. She sat in the front row and took copious notes during the lecture.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officers pulled over a Rolls-Royce Ghost speeding north on Highway 99 and were stunned to find a small monkey wearing a onesie inside — as well as copious amounts of marijuana and five cellphones. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025 Get the classic beef pho with brisket, beef tendon, Thai basil, fresh lime and copious amounts of chili oil. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025 Most likely, the many calderas on Olympus Mons formed thanks to copious lava flows draining the magma body inside the volcano rather than massive explosive eruptions. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024 The copious electric torque available from one single rpm also creates some torque steer at times, which heavier steering only amplifies. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for copious 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin copiosus, from copia abundance, from co- + ops wealth — more at opulent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of copious was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near copious
Cite this Entry
“Copious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copious. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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