plethora

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plethora" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive amount or a large quantity of something. Example: "The conference offered a plethora of workshops and sessions for attendees to choose from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Xosar has risen in stature as a figurehead of a somewhat cosmic live hardware scene, self-releasing records with titles such as Psychick Justice, while simultaneously checking in with a plethora of tastemaker labels.

The Guardian - Music

True to recent pattern, the Revs created a plethora of chances, failed to finish most of them, and had a couple of defensive lapses.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus enlightened, I return to the shelves to discover that, among the plethora of recipes for coq au vin, a handful concede they can also be made with riesling "along the same lines" – somewhat surprisingly, given that rich, dark coq au vin and tangy, creamy coq au riesling seem two very different spins on the same basic ingredients to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the basis of his mother's background, a plethora of images were cultivated around Abdullah.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, on reading those words, its mind swam with a plethora of images and, indeed, questions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Besides serving as an early-morning alarm clock, the bird also acts as a pest-control agent, while its body was used throughout antiquity in a plethora of remedies – and still is.

The Guardian - Books

Not only is this incredibly risky, it's entirely unnecessary thanks to the plethora of cross-platform password managers on the market, most of which are freely available or very cheap.

The Guardian - Tech

It is the Financial Services Authority, and its plethora of EU regulatory agencies, that has failed; not the many, generally well-run firms making up the UK's financial services industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

In advance of Merkel's visit, the British media stressed the plethora of Anglo-German anniversaries coming up this year: 100 years since the start of the first world war, 200 years since the British and Prussians united to defeat Napoleon, and 300 years since a German princeling became King George I.

The Guardian

They comment on how the Curry awards were always attended by a plethora of shadow cabinet members.

The Guardian - Opinion

What I want to see is children with migrant backgrounds – in fact all children – being so deeply valued in this society that there is a plethora of support for whatever problems they face.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance clarity by specifying the category following 'plethora of'. For example, say "a plethora of options" rather than just "a plethora".

Common error

Avoid using "plethora" when a simpler word like "many" or "several" would suffice. "Plethora" implies an overabundance, not just a large quantity.

Linguistic Context

Plethora functions primarily as a noun, denoting an excessive quantity or abundance. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to describe a situation where there's more than enough of something, as highlighted in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plethora" is a noun used to describe an excessive amount or abundance of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and business contexts. While synonyms like "abundance" and "profusion" exist, "plethora" often implies a quantity that is more than sufficient, sometimes to an overwhelming degree. When using "plethora", ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on excess, and avoid using it when a simpler word would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance

Indicates a large quantity, often suggesting a positive or beneficial surplus.

profusion

Suggests an overflowing or extravagant amount.

excess

Implies a surplus that may be unnecessary or even harmful.

glut

Suggests an oversupply, often leading to lower value or prices.

surfeit

Similar to "glut" but often used in the context of consumption or enjoyment.

overabundance

A more emphatic way of saying abundance, stressing the large quantity.

myriad

Emphasizes the variety and number of different elements.

host

A large number or multitude.

oversupply

Specifically refers to a quantity that exceeds demand.

embarrassment of riches

Indicates having so much of something that it creates a dilemma of choice.

FAQs

How to use "plethora" in a sentence?

"Plethora" is used to indicate a large or excessive amount of something. For example, "The conference offered a "plethora of" workshops."

What can I say instead of "plethora"?

You can use alternatives like "abundance", "profusion", or "surfeit" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a plethora of"?

Yes, it is correct to say "a "plethora of"". The word "plethora" is typically followed by "of" when describing what exists in abundance.

What's the difference between "plethora" and "abundance"?

"Plethora" often suggests an excessive amount, sometimes to the point of being overwhelming, while "abundance" simply indicates a large, plentiful quantity, often with a positive connotation.