Definition of PLETHORA (original) (raw)
1
: an ample amount or number : abundance, profusion
… Grand Cayman offers a plethora of bustling restaurants, ritzy resorts and comfortable condos …—
Susanne Cummings
… a world whose credibility is threatened by the meaningless plethora of material goods it goes on producing.—W. Roy Niblett
2
: a bodily condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked by turgescence and a florid complexion
Did you know?
Plethora comes from a similar Greek word meaning "fullness." It was first used in English in the 16th century to describe a supposed medical condition marked by an excess volume of blood causing swelling and a reddish complexion. Later, the medical use of "plethora" was extended to indicate related medical conditions (such as an excess volume of bodily fluid or the red-skinned appearance of some newborns). These days, however, "plethora" is more often used in a general, non-medical sense, with the meaning "excess" or "abundance."
Synonyms
Examples of plethora in a Sentence
There has been a plethora of plays in recent years whose claim to modernity is based on indicated rather than felt emotion. —Arthur Miller, Harper's, March 1999 The plethora of short-lived ceasefires in the Balkans and the Caucasus constitute proof that we are no longer in a world where the old rules of state warfare apply. —Robert D. Kaplan, Atlantic, February 1994 … served at the long plank table in the banquet hut, amid a plethora of toasts to progress, amity, and the overthrow of imperialism—the meal passed in a blur. —John Updike, Trust Me, (1962) 1987 In their view, there are the very few hard-pressed good guys losing the landscape to a plethora of bad guys. —Carol Bly, Letters from the Country, 1981
A plethora of books have been written on the subject. a biology textbook that is helpfully illustrated with a plethora of excellent illustrations
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Soak in the culture and timeless beauty of Key West Every island in the Florida Keys is worth seeing, but what makes Key West one of the best places to visit in Florida is its culture, quirkiness, and plethora of family-friendly attractions. —Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 As for Brown, he’s had a plethora of viral moments that have come about in his interviews with multiple media platforms. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Despite the defeat, there is plenty of room for optimism in Houston with young star quarterback CJ Stroud, an excellent defense and a plethora of offensive talent, even with Nico Collins on the sideline. —Ben Morse, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024 Landry’s order cites the plethora of regulations that the Biden administration has implemented in the name of climate change. —Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plethora 
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Late Latin plēthōra, plētūra "fullness, overabundance of a humor," borrowed from Greek plēthṓra (Ionic plēthṓrē) "fullness, crowdedness (of a marketplace at peak hour), excess of a humor or blood," from plēth-, base of plḗthein "to be full" + -ōra, -ōrē, probably dissimilated variant of -ōlē, suffix of deverbal nouns; plḗthein going back to Indo-European *pléh1-dh-, extended form of the verbal base *pleh1- "become full," with *-dh- marking a completed state — more at full entry 1
Note: The base *pléh1-dh- is also evident in Greek plēthȳ́s "great number, multitude, crowd" (compare plebs), plêthos "great number, mass, crowd," plēthȳ́nesthai "to increase in number" (see plethysmograph).
First Known Use
circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of plethora was circa 1541
Dictionary Entries Near plethora
Cite this Entry
“Plethora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plethora. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 27 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
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