copious

USAGE SUMMARY

"copious" is a correct, and commonly used, word in written English.
You can use it to mean "large in quantity" or "abundant." For example, "The copious amounts of food they brought to the picnic ensured everyone got their fill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now that austerity hangs over Europe, however, and even the French are toughening up pension rules, the perks are coming under scrutiny.With an annual pre-tax salary of €63,000 French parliamentarians are not particularly well paid, but they enjoy copious benefits.

The Economist

At the same time, Apple is keeping the older iPad 2 on the market for $399 with Wi-Fi and $529 with 3G.Other firms had already been hard-pressed to meet Apple's price, battery life and hardware features, let alone its swish operating system, copious media catalogues and the internet's biggest app store.

The Economist

Even that act earned Mr Netanyahu copious reprimands.

The Economist

Investigators have copious amounts of evidence provided by Ajmal Kasab, the sole survivor of the attack team, and David Headley, a Pakistani-American extremist who conducted surveillance operations on the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and other targets in Mumbai.

The Guardian

After a feast of harira, tagine, couscous and copious wine, histories were shared and stories told.

The Guardian - Travel

Returning home via the notoriously captivating Settle-Carlisle line, we had stocked up with copious treats, nabbed a table and were tucking into a magnificent spread while the snowclad Pennine hills slipped past us, their milky slopes as one with a pure white sky.

The Guardian - Travel

The shower is gas-powered and there aren't copious luxuries, though there is phone reception if you're desperate.

The Guardian - Travel

Later that night she shows up at Needy's house covered in gallons of blood and vomiting horrible oil black sludge in copious amounts.

The Guardian - Film

Signing Allen to an unprecedented TV deal will not only get Amazon lashings of press attention and copious amounts of legitimacy, it will also cause Allen's fans to search out the streaming hub (it is very hard to find from Amazon's cluttered home page) and sign up for the service.

The Guardian - Film

The reaction to Shame, with its copious nudity, untrammelled rawness and explicit subject matter helped to modify, if not entirely destroy, Mulligan's wholesome image – she has described herself as "baby-faced".

The Guardian - Film

According the Los Angeles Times, Clooney and producing partner Grant Heslov realised they would not be able to complete the copious visual effects shots to make the 18 December release date.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "copious" to describe something that is not only abundant but also often readily available or accessible.

Common error

Avoid using "copious" when a neutral term like "large" or "many" is more appropriate. "Copious" often carries a sense of extravagance or excess, which might not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

Copious primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a large quantity or abundance. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing quantities of benefits, evidence, wine, and treats, among other things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "copious" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that signifies abundance or a large quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in written English to describe plentiful amounts. With a neutral to formal register, "copious" is most often found in news and media, formal business contexts, and science. When using "copious", ensure it aligns with the intended connotation of abundance and isn't replaced by a simpler term when neutrality is key. Explore alternatives such as "abundant" or "plentiful" to fine-tune your expression. Remember, the vast number of Ludwig examples show the versatile and common implementation of this adjective in describing diverse subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Abundant

Highlights a plentiful supply or availability.

Plentiful

Emphasizes that there is more than enough of something.

Ample

Suggests that something is sufficient or adequate in quantity.

Profuse

Implies extravagance or excess in quantity.

Voluminous

Indicates a large volume or size.

Extensive

Describes something that covers a large area or scope.

Substantial

Highlights a significant or considerable amount.

Generous

Implies abundance and a willingness to give freely.

Lush

Suggests rich and abundant growth, often in a natural setting.

Overflowing

Emphasizes that something is so full it's spilling over.

FAQs

How to use "copious" in a sentence?

"Copious" is an adjective that describes something abundant or plentiful. For example, "The library has "copious amounts of" information on the subject."

What can I say instead of "copious"?

You can use alternatives like "abundant", "plentiful", or "ample" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "copious amounts" or "copious number"?

"Copious amounts" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g. water, information), while "copious number" is used for countable nouns (e.g. books, people). However, ""copious amounts of"" can often be used before countable nouns as well.

What's the difference between "copious" and "abundant"?

While both words suggest a large quantity, "copious" often implies a greater degree of excess or extravagance compared to "abundant". "Abundant" simply means there is more than enough.