plural

adjective

plu·​ral ˈplu̇r-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a class of grammatical forms usually used to denote more than one or in some languages more than two

2

: relating to, consisting of, or containing more than one or more than one kind or class

a plural society

plural noun

plurally

ˈplu̇r-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of plural in a Sentence

The word “trees” is a plural noun.

The plural form of the word “child” is “children.”

a plural verb such as “are” or “were” rather than a singular verb such as “is” or “was”

Recent Examples on the Web

The ballrooms — yes, plural — underwent sweeping updates too. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Gray, for his part, wants to sweep aside moral-foundations theory, plural, and replace it with moral-foundation theory, singular. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Today’s Strands Hints Today’s Theme: Find your people Hint #1: Think plural. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

At times, the voice shifts fluidly from masculine to feminine and becomes suggestively plural. —Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French plurel, from Latin pluralis, from plur-, plus more — more at plus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plural

• plural marriage

Kids Definition

plural

1 of 2 adjective

plu·​ral

ˈplu̇r-əl

: of, relating to, or being a word form used to indicate more than one

plural nouns

plurally

-ə-lē

adverb

plural

2 of 2 noun

: a form of a word used to show that more than one person or thing is meant