■ determiner & pronoun ( more , most ) a large amount.
■ adverb
1》 to a great extent; a great deal.
2》 [usu. with negative or in questions ] for a large part of one's time; often.
Phrases
a bit ~ informal somewhat excessive or unreasonable.
( as ) ~ as even though.
not ~ of a not a good example of: I'm not ~ of a gardener.
so ~ the better (or worse ) that is even better (or worse).
too ~ too difficult or exhausting to tolerate.
Derivatives
~ly adverb ( humorous ).
Origin
ME: shortened from ~el , from OE micel (see mickle ).