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large number

large number

158 1.4
Many people or things counted together
  • noun
translation icon : gran número
  • A large number of students participated in the science fair this year.
  • a large number of people
  • very large numbers
  • a relatively large number

And it's happening before large numbers of civilians can get out.

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Examples

  • Do I think that large numbers of people want to hear this?

  • National character is the result of a large number of causes, some constant and some variable.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And it's pulled in a large number of people.

  • And talking to many of our students at the college, a large number are people of faith.

  • And this war has had a large number of very serious injuries.

  • This is such a large number of human beings.

  • There are going to be huge healthcare costs because of this very large number of elderly people.

  • For a charrette to be successful, we need to bring together a large number of diverse people.

  • Cash transfer programs are currently reaching large numbers of poor people in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.

    Academic text (2011)
  • From their new positions, our forces can see large numbers of Argentine soldiers retreating and streaming back into Port Stanley.

Synonyms

million
vslarge number
  • Informal
417 1.0

A very large number used to mean a lot without an exact count

is the more general, non-numeric phrase for a big amount
billion
vslarge number
  • Informal
151 2.5

A very large, not exact number used to say there are many

is the non-numeric, general way to state a large amount
multitude
vslarge number
38 4.4

A large number of things or people

is the general neutral wording for that large indefinite amount
myriad
vslarge number
36 6.8

A very large number of things or people

is the common, neutral expression for that very large quantity
gazillion
vslarge number
  • Slang
24 7.0

A very large unknown number used to say something is much bigger than it is

is the neutral phrase without exaggerated or humorous tone
bazillion
vslarge number
  • Slang
8 8.1

A very large number that people use to show exaggeration

is the straightforward description without playful exaggeration
zillion
vslarge number
  • Informal
8 5.6

A very large number that people use to show a lot

is the plain expression for a large unspecified amount
dozens
vslarge number
1 1.0

A large number, usually more than twelve

is broader, applying to any unspecified big quantity
one hundred and one
vslarge number
1 1.0

A phrase that means many rather than exactly 101

is the literal, neutral way to state a large unspecified amount
large indefinite quantity
vslarge number
4.9

An amount that is large but not exactly known

has identical meaning but uses different wording
lots
vslarge number
  • Informal
1.0

A large number of people or things

is a more formal label for the same indefinite amount
bajillion
vslarge number
  • UK
8.4

Very large in number with no exact amount and said as a joke

is the neutral count description without informal emphasis
gorillion
vslarge number
  • Slang
9.9

A made-up very large number that people use to mean a lot of things

is the ordinary term lacking that humorous overstatement
over nine thousand
vslarge number
  • Slang
9.1

A joking phrase used to say a very large amount or level

is the standard expression for a large indefinite amount
nonillion
vslarge number
  • Informal
9.9

A very large not exact number people use to mean a huge amount

is the broad, non-technical description of a large quantity
tredecillion
vslarge number
  • Informal
9.9

A very large number used to mean a huge, not exact amount

is the everyday label for a large unspecified number

Antonyms

315 1.0

A small number of people or things

How Many

countless
245 2.5
large number
158 1.4
many
9 1.0
several
1.0
a few
1.0

Surface Forms

large number singular
large numbers plural

Morphology

large + number

The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'large' (big) modifies 'number' (count), so it directly denotes a many/much quantity. This is a transparent, cross-linguistically common pattern (e.g. Spanish 'gran número'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Large number comes from putting large (big) before number (a count); picture a very long list or a big crowd being counted. That's why the phrase means 'many'.