myriad

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "myriad" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective, meaning very large in number, and can be used to describe any type of quantity. Example sentence: "The myriad stars in the night sky provided a beautiful backdrop to the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They will probably be ostracised by friends, rejected by family and turned away by the UN and the myriad international NGOs that are equipped, trained and ready to help women.

The Guardian

Or something … Like the 'put your cock in a sock for ball cancer' campaign before it and the myriad other attention-seeking memes … the Coke/boob challenge allows people to show off their best assets while pretending that they give a shit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now I lorded above this billowy sea, along with myriad mountaintops – like VIPs in a secret realm.

The Guardian - Travel

By announcing that CarPlay will be available in vehicles from a myriad of car manufacturers this year, Apple has dealt the competition from OAA and Microsoft a heavy first-mover advantage blow.

The Guardian - Tech

She believes the internet can help foster solutions to social problems through a myriad of small schemes and initiatives, but only if it remains accessible – and safe – for everyone.

The Guardian

Taken as a whole, the myriad descriptions and depictions of winters past serve as an extended narrative, charting a course of the human imagination.

The Guardian - Books

It can help solve a myriad of problems by providing affordable toilets in water-scarce areas, and returning compost rich in beneficial microorganisms, as well as ample quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to depleted soils, reclaiming nutrients to make organic soil conditioners and fertilisers.

The Guardian

And, for once, some of the manager's myriad personnel changes paid off.

The Guardian - Sport

The robbery itself unfolds in layers and layers of scams and fake-outs, passing out myriad red herrings to both victims and viewers, but never cheats our expectations or falls into predictability.

The Guardian

Apart from the myriad practical details about the precise location of the route and so on, there is the question too of how green the line would be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sheeps The ex-Footlights sketch team bring to London their high-concept Edinburgh 2014 smash in which they rework the same sketch in myriad styles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "myriad" to add sophistication and emphasis to descriptions of large quantities or varieties. It's particularly effective in formal writing and when aiming for a literary tone.

Common error

Avoid using "myriads" as the plural form. "Myriad" can function as a noun, but it doesn't take a plural 's'. Use "a myriad of" instead of "myriads of".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "myriad" is that of an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a great number or variety. It can also function as a noun, though less frequently. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "myriad" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective to describe a large number or variety. While grammatically correct, it is important to use "myriad of" rather than the incorrect "myriads of". Ludwig's AI confirms that the word is suitable for formal and sophisticated writing across many contexts. Its frequency of use is very common in news and media, formal business writing, and science, but is considered more formal than its simpler counterparts such as “many” or “numerous.” Use "myriad" to emphasize abundance, but be mindful of your audience and purpose to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

countless number

Emphasizes the inability to count the items.

innumerable instances

Focuses on the inability to enumerate the occurrences.

a multitude of

Highlights a great quantity or crowd.

a vast array of

Stresses the impressive range and variety.

a great number of

A straightforward expression of quantity.

an abundance of

Conveys a sense of plentifulness.

numerous examples

Highlights the plentiful existence of illustrations.

a profusion of

Emphasizes the lavish or extravagant quantity.

various instances

Implies diversity within a large quantity.

assorted collection

Focuses on the varied nature of the items.

FAQs

How to use "myriad" in a sentence?

"Myriad" can be used as an adjective to describe a large number of things, as in "The project faces "myriad challenges"". It can also be used as a noun, although less commonly, as in "A "myriad of options" were available".

What can I say instead of "myriad"?

You can use alternatives like "countless", "innumerable", or "multitude" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "myriad of" or "myriads of"?

"Myriad of" is the correct usage. "Myriad" itself implies a large number, so adding a plural 's' is redundant and grammatically incorrect. "Myriads of" is sometimes used informally but should be avoided in formal writing.

Is "myriad" formal or informal?

"Myriad" is generally considered a formal word. While acceptable in most contexts, simpler alternatives like "many" or "numerous" might be more appropriate in very informal settings.