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

A couple of things to bear in mind: Lederhosen is plural, so one pair of leather trousers is simply a lederhose. —Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2024

Those changes will include new anchors (yes, plural), and a new supervising producer in 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens, who will add oversight of the Evening News. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024

This time, in plural form: Both sisters quickly checked with ACM officials to make sure each would be receiving her own trophy. —Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024

The plural terms in the second and third titles underline the books’ central theme: that the early history of what became the United States was not what most Americans have been taught. —Alan Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021

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