Library / English Dictionary

PLURAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The form of a word that is used to denote more than one

Synonyms:

plural; plural form

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("plural" is a kind of...):

descriptor; form; signifier; word form (the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something)

Domain member usage:

relation ((usually plural) mutual dealings or connections among persons or groups)

flying colors; flying colours (complete success)

wings (a means of flight or ascent)

ambages ((archaic) roundabout or mysterious ways of action)

innings (the batting turn of a cricket player or team)

sweepstakes (a lottery in which the prize consists of the money paid by the participants)

craps (a gambling game played with two dice; a first throw of 7 or 11 wins and a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses and a first throw of any other number must be repeated to win before a 7 is thrown, which loses the bet and the dice)

high jinks; high jinx; hijinks; jinks (noisy and mischievous merrymaking)

Ludi Saeculares; secular games (the centennial rites and games of ancient Rome that marked the commencement of a new generation (100 years representing the longest life in a generation); observances may have begun as early as the 5th century BC and lasted well into the Christian era)

heroics (ostentatious or vainglorious or extravagant or melodramatic conduct)

deeds; works (performance of moral or religious acts)

services (performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others)

calisthenics; callisthenics (light exercises designed to promote general fitness)

hustings (the activities involved in political campaigning (especially speech making))

arts and crafts (the arts of decorative design and handicraft)

contretemps (an awkward clash)

last rites (rites performed in connection with a death or burial)

devotion ((usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently))

Stations; Stations of the Cross ((Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary)

round ((often plural) a series of professional calls (usually in a set order))

alms (money or goods contributed to the poor)

operations; trading operations (financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records)

swaddling clothes (restrictions placed on the immature)

dirty tricks (underhand commercial or political behavior designed to discredit an opponent)

last respects (the act of expressing respect for someone who has died)

props (proper respect)

appointment; fitting ((usually in the plural) furnishings and equipment (especially for a ship or hotel))

Augean stables ((Greek mythology) the extremely dirty stables that were finally cleaned by Hercules who diverted two rivers through them)

backstairs (a second staircase at the rear of a building)

basic; staple ((usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant)

bath salts (a preparation that softens or scents a bath)

bedspring ((usually in the plural) one of the springs holding up the mattress of a bed)

bell-bottoms; bellbottom pants; bellbottom trousers ((used in the plural) trousers with legs that flare; worn by sailors; absurdly wide hems were fashionable in the 1960s)

bellows ((used in the plural) a mechanical device that blows a strong current of air; used to make a fire burn more fiercely or to sound a musical instrument)

Bermuda shorts; Jamaica shorts ((used in the plural) short pants that end at the knee)

bikini pants ((used in the plural) small and tight-fitting underpants; worn by women)

binoculars; field glasses; opera glasses ((plural) an optical instrument designed for simultaneous use by both eyes)

bleachers ((used in the plural) an outdoor grandstand without a roof; patrons are exposed to the sun as linens are when they are bleached)

bloomers; drawers; knickers; pants ((used in the plural) underpants worn by women)

boards ((used in the plural) the boarding that surrounds an ice hockey rink)

boards ((used in the plural) the stage of a theater)

bones; castanets; clappers; finger cymbals ((used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance)

brace; gallus; suspender (elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural))

brass knuckles; brass knucks; knuckle duster; knuckles; knucks ((used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand)

breeches; knee breeches; knee pants; knickerbockers; knickers ((used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee)

briefs; Jockey shorts ((used in the plural) short tight-fitting underpants (trade name Jockey shorts))

britches ((used in the plural) informal term for breeches)

buckskins ((used in the plural) breeches made of buckskin)

cafeteria facility ((usually plural) facilities for providing food for employees or visitors)

chain tongs (a pipe wrench used for turning large pipes; an adjustable chain circles the pipe with its ends connected to the head whose teeth engage the pipe)

chap ((usually in the plural) leather leggings without a seat; joined by a belt; often have flared outer flaps; worn over trousers by cowboys to protect their legs)

chinos ((plural) trousers made with chino cloth)

churidars (tight trousers worn by people from the Indian subcontinent (typically with a kameez or kurta))

civies; civvies (civilian garb as opposed to a military uniform)

cleaners; dry cleaners (shop where dry cleaning is done)

cleats (shoes with leather or metal projections on the soles)

clews (the cords used to suspend a hammock)

colors; colours (a flag that shows its nationality)

colors; colours (a distinguishing emblem)

consumer goods (goods (as food or clothing) intended for direct use or consumption)

cords; corduroys (cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth)

crown jewels (regalia (jewelry and other paraphernalia) worn by a sovereign on state occasions)

diggings; digs (an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology)

boxers; boxershorts; drawers; shorts; underdrawers (underpants worn by men)

dress blues; dress whites (a dress uniform for formal occasions)

drygoods; soft goods (textiles or clothing and related merchandise)

consumer durables; durable goods; durables (consumer goods that are not destroyed by use)

eaves (the overhang at the lower edge of a roof)

Epsom salts ((used with a singular noun) hydrated magnesium sulfate used as a laxative)

fancy goods (goods that are chiefly ornamental)

fatigues (military uniform worn by military personnel when doing menial labor)

coal tongs; fire tongs (tongs for taking hold of burning coals)

firework; pyrotechnic ((usually plural) a device with an explosive that burns at a low rate and with colored flames; can be used to illuminate areas or send signals etc.)

fixings; trimmings (the accessories that normally accompany (something or some activity))

flannel; gabardine; tweed; white ((usually in the plural) trousers made of flannel or gabardine or tweed or white cloth)

flats (footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel))

footlights (theater light at the front of a stage that illuminate the set and actors)

forceps (an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies))

furnishing ((usually plural) the instrumentalities (furniture and appliances and other movable accessories including curtains and rugs) that make a home (or other area) livable)

furnishing; trappings ((usually plural) accessory wearing apparel)

gallows (an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging)

gasworks (the workplace where coal gas is manufactured)

goggles ((plural) tight-fitting spectacles worn to protect the eyes)

foodstuff; grocery ((usually plural) consumer goods sold by a grocer)

head ((usually plural) the obverse side of a coin that usually bears the representation of a person's head)

headquarters; HQ; military headquarters (the military installation from which a commander performs the functions of command)

central office; headquarters; home base; home office; main office ((usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise)

hot pants (skin-tight very short pants worn by young women as an outer garment)

houselights (lights that illuminate the audience's part of a theater or other auditorium)

ice tongs (tongs for lifting blocks of ice)

chains; irons (metal shackles; for hands or legs)

ironworks (the workplace where iron is smelted or where iron goods are made)

blue jeans; denim; jeans ((used in the plural) close-fitting trousers of heavy denim for manual work or casual wear)

jodhpur breeches; jodhpurs; riding breeches ((used in the plural) flared trousers ending at the calves; worn with riding boots)

knockout drops (chloral hydrate in combination with alcohol; usually administered surreptitiously to make the drinker unconscious)

limbers (a channel or gutter on either side of a ship's keelson; carries bilge water into the pump well)

golf links; links (a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore)

lion-jaw forceps (a type of forceps)

living quarters; quarters (housing available for people to live in)

locking pliers (pliers that can be locked in place)

long johns (warm underwear with long legs)

military quarters (living quarters for personnel on a military post)

mouse-tooth forceps (a type of forceps)

Napier's bones; Napier's rods (a set of graduated rods formerly used to do multiplication and division by a method invented by John Napier)

needlenose pliers (small pliers with long thin jaws for fine work)

packaged goods (groceries that are packaged for sale)

jammies; pajama; pj's; pyjama ((usually plural) loose-fitting nightclothes worn for sleeping or lounging; have a jacket top and trousers)

pantie; panty; scanty; step-in (short underpants for women or children (usually used in the plural))

bars; parallel bars (gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights)

pedal pushers; toreador pants ((used in the plural) snug trousers ending at the calves; worn by women and girls)

pair of pliers; pliers; plyers (a gripping hand tool with two hinged arms and (usually) serrated jaws)

plus fours (men's baggy knickers hanging below the knees; formerly worn for sports (especially golf))

pruning shears (shears with strong blades used for light pruning of woody plants)

public works (structures (such as highways or schools or bridges or docks) constructed at government expense for public use)

pump-type pliers (a type of pliers)

punch pliers (punch consisting of pliers for perforating paper or leather)

rabbit ears (an indoor TV antenna; consists of two extendible rods that form a V)

rariora ((plural) rare collector's items)

regimentals (the military uniform and insignia of a regiment)

rib joint pliers (a type of pliers)

rings (gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises)

saltworks (a plant where salt is produced commercially)

pair of scissors; scissors (an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades)

secateurs (small pruning shears with a spring that holds the handles open and a single blade that closes against a flat surface)

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Seven Wonders of the World (impressive monuments created in the ancient world that were regarded with awe)

shears (large scissors with strong blades)

short pants; shorts; trunks ((used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee)

silks (the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable)

skivvies ((used in the plural) men's underwear consisting of cotton undershirt and underpants)

slacks ((used in the plural) pants for casual wear)

slip-joint pliers (pliers with a joint adjustable to two positions in order to increase the opening of the jaws)

small stores (personal items conforming to regulations that are sold aboard ship or at a naval base and charged to the person's pay)

snips; tinsnips ((plural) hand shears for cutting sheet metal)

snuffers (scissors for cropping and holding the snuff of a candlewick)

soap flakes (soap that has been cut into flakes to make suds faster)

eyeglasses; glasses; specs; spectacles ((plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision)

sporting goods (sports equipment sold as a commodity)

stacks (storage space in a library consisting of an extensive arrangement of bookshelves where most of the books are stored)

stairs; steps (a flight of stairs or a flight of steps)

stocking (close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural))

stocks (a former instrument of punishment consisting of a heavy timber frame with holes in which the feet (and sometimes the hands) of an offender could be locked)

stocks (a frame for constraining an animal while it is receiving veterinary attention or while being shod)

stocks (a frame that supports a boat while it is under construction)

street clothes (ordinary clothing suitable for public appearances (as opposed to costumes or sports apparel or work clothes etc.))

stretch pants (trousers made of a stretchy fabric)

sundries (miscellaneous objects too numerous or too small to be specified)

dark glasses; shades; sunglasses ((plural) spectacles that are darkened or polarized to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun)

swaddling bands; swaddling clothes (a garment (a gown or narrow strips of cloth) for an infant)

sweat pants; sweatpants (loose-fitting trousers with elastic cuffs; worn by athletes)

bathing trunks; swimming trunks (swimsuit worn by men while swimming)

tail ((usually plural) the reverse side of a coin that does not bear the representation of a person's head)

thinning shears (shears with one serrate blade; used for thinning hair)

leotards; tights (skintight knit hose covering the body from the waist to the feet worn by acrobats and dancers and as stockings by women and girls)

duds; threads; togs (informal terms for clothing)

pair of tongs; tongs (any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below)

topside ((usually plural) weather deck; the part of a ship's hull that is above the waterline)

trews ((used in the plural) tight-fitting trousers; usually of tartan)

pair of trousers; pant; trousers ((usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately)

underpants (an undergarment that covers the body from the waist no further than to the thighs; usually worn next to the skin)

undies (women's underwear)

waders (waterproof hip boots (sometimes extending to the chest) worn by anglers)

water wings (a life preserver consisting of a connected pair of inflatable bags that fit under a person's arms and provide buoyancy; used by children learning to swim)

waterworks (workplace where water is stored and purified and distributed for a community)

weeds; widow's weeds (a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning)

white goods (large electrical home appliances (refrigerators or washing machines etc.) that are typically finished in white enamel)

workings; works (the internal mechanism of a device)

piece goods; yard goods (merchandise in the form of fabrics sold by the yard)

superficies (the purely external aspect of a thing; superficial appearance)

odds (the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring)

desert ((usually plural) a person's deservingness of or entitlement to reward or punishment)

nerves (control of your emotions)

manners (social deportment)

confines (a bounded scope)

states' rights (the rights conceded to the states by the United States constitution)

shades ((plural) something that reminds you of someone or something)

ABC; ABC's; ABCs; alphabet; first principles; rudiments (the elementary stages of any subject (usually plural))

bare bones ((plural) the most basic facts or elements)

intention ((usually plural) the goal with respect to a marriage proposal)

telecommunication ((often plural) the branch of electrical engineering concerned with the technology of electronic communication at a distance)

channel; communication channel; line ((often plural) a means of communication or access)

telecom; telecommunication ((often plural) systems used in transmitting messages over a distance electronically)

title ((usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action)

writing ((usually plural) the collected work of an author)

curiosa (books on strange or unusual subjects (especially erotica))

chart ((usually plural) a listing of best-selling recorded music)

overtone ((usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality)

greeting; salutation ((usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting))

compliments; regard; wish ((usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare)

condition; strings; term ((usually plural) a statement of what is required as part of an agreement)

suspension point ((usually plural) one of a series of points indicating that something has been omitted or that the sentence is incomplete)

congratulation; felicitation ((usually plural) an expression of pleasure at the success or good fortune of another)

deliberation ((usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question)

order ((often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed)

depredation; ravage ((usually plural) a destructive action)

exercise ((usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches)

brussels sprouts (the small edible cabbage-like buds growing along a stalk of the brussels sprout plant)

oat (seed of the annual grass Avena sativa (spoken of primarily in the plural as 'oats'))

paring ((usually plural) a part of a fruit or vegetable that is pared or cut off; especially the skin or peel)

people ((plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively)

peoples (the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group)

ancients (people who lived in times long past (especially during the historical period before the fall of the Roman Empire in western Europe))

grass roots (the common people at a local level (as distinguished from the centers of political activity))

flinders (bits and splinters and fragments)

interest; interest group ((usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims)

folks (your parents)

brethren ((plural) the lay members of a male religious order)

poor; poor people (people without possessions or wealth (considered as a group))

rich; rich people (people who have possessions and wealth (considered as a group))

Sabaoth ((plural) hosts or armies; used in the book of Romans in the New Testament)

fedayeen ((plural) Arab guerrillas who operate mainly against Israel)

Islam Nation; Islamic Ummah; Muslim Ummah; Umma; Ummah (the Muslim community or people, considered to extend from Mauritania to Pakistan)

headquarters ((plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff)

unemployed; unemployed people (people who are involuntarily out of work (considered as a group))

depths ((plural) the deepest and most remote part)

close quarters (a situation of being uncomfortably close to someone or something)

archeological remains; remains (a relic that has been excavated from the soil)

badlands (deeply eroded barren land)

coffee grounds (the dregs remaining after brewing coffee)

down ((usually plural) a rolling treeless highland with little soil)

dregs; settlings (sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid)

lees (the sediment from fermentation of an alcoholic beverage)

remains (any object that is left unused or still extant)

scablands ((geology) flat elevated land with poor soil and little vegetation that is scarred by dry channels of glacial origin (especially in eastern Washington))

scraping ((usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected)

steps (the course along which a person has walked or is walking in)

authority ((usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others)

connection ((usually plural) a person who is influential and to whom you are connected in some way (as by family or friendship))

spoil ((usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war))

reparation ((usually plural) compensation exacted from a defeated nation by the victors)

residual ((often plural) a payment that is made to a performer or writer or director of a television show or commercial that is paid for every repeat showing)

incidental; incidental expense; minor expense ((frequently plural) an expense not budgeted or not specified)

travel expense ((frequently plural) expenses incurred by an employee in the performance of the job and usually reimbursed by the employer)

assets (anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company)

receivables (money that you currently expect to receive from notes or accounts)

deep pockets ((plural) a source of substantial wealth)

reserve assets (capital held back from investment in order to meet probable or possible demands)

current assets; liquid assets; quick assets (assets in the form of cash (or easily convertible into cash))

right ((frequently plural) the interest possessed by law or custom in some intangible thing)

liabilities (anything that is owed to someone else)

accounts receivable (a creditor's accounts of money owed to him; normally arise from the sale of products or services)

boxcars ((usually plural) an expression used when two dice are thrown and both come up showing six spots)

conditions (the set of circumstances that affect someone's welfare)

conditions (the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process)

drusen ((plural) an eye disease resulting from small accumulations of hyaline bodies underneath the retina)

hiccough; hiccup; singultus ((usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion)

depth ((usually plural) a low moral state)

Antonym:

singular (the form of a word that is used to denote a singleton)

Domain member usage:

bifocals ((plural) eyeglasses having two focal lengths, one for near vision and the other for far vision)

clothes (clothing in general)

just deserts (an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved and fitting)

nightclothes (garments designed to be worn in bed)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Grammatical number category referring to two or more items or units

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

dual (a grammatical number category referring to two items or units as opposed to one item (singular) or more than two items (plural))

Antonym:

singular (grammatical number category referring to a single item or unit)

Derivation:

plurality (the state of being plural)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Composed of more than one member, set, or kind

Classified under:

Adjectives

Antonym:

singular (composed of one member, set, or kind)

Credits