a lot

[uh lot]

noun

1. lot.

adverb

1. lot.

Spelling Note

As a noun and adverb, a lot is frequently misspelled as alot.

Word History and Origins

Origin of a lot¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Idioms and Phrases

Very many, a large number; also, very much. For example, A lot of people think the economy is declining, or Sad movies always made her cry a lot. It is sometimes put as a whole lot for greater emphasis, as in I learned a whole lot in his class. It may also emphasize a comparative indication of amount, as in We need a whole lot more pizza to feed everyone, or Mary had a lot less nerve than I expected. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

Example Sentences

For a party that makes a lot of noise in British politics, Reform UK has relatively few senior elected politicians.

From BBC

Today, print magazines are fighting for survival in an increasingly crowded, fast-paced landscape – a monthly publication loses a lot of relevance in a by-the-minute digital world.

From BBC

Like a lot of people my age, there are times when I can’t find my keys, or my sunglasses, or my phone.

From Los Angeles Times

Cooper moves to a life where she'll spend a lot more time on a plane, as foreign secretary.

From BBC

In among the criminal antics and police work is a lot of talk about life and death and God, guilt and forgiveness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• entirely 
• substantially 
• totally 
• wholly