I. plen ‧ ty 1 S1 W1 /ˈplenti/ BrE AmE pronoun
a large quantity that is enough or more than enough
plenty of
Make sure she gets plenty of fresh air.
No need to hurry – you’ve got plenty of time.
There’s plenty to do and see in New York.
There are plenty more chairs in the next room.
GRAMMAR
Plenty of can be used before an uncountable noun or a plural noun. Do not say 'a plenty of':
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There is plenty of evidence of poverty (NOT a plenty of evidence).
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You will have plenty of opportunities to improve your skills.
► Do not say 'there is plenty of things/places etc'. Say there are plenty of things/places etc :
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There are plenty of restaurants nearby.
► Do not say that a place or thing 'is plenty of something'. Say that it is full of something :
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The garden is full of interesting shrubs and trees.
REGISTER
In written English, people sometimes prefer to use ample rather than plenty of , as it sounds more formal:
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They were given ample time to complete the work.
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THESAURUS
▪ enough /ɪˈnʌf/ as much or as many as necessary, or as you want:
My family never had enough money for holidays abroad.
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Have you had enough to eat?
▪ sufficient formal enough for a particular purpose:
The police did not have sufficient evidence to justify a charge.
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The accuracy of the older technique was sufficient for our needs.
▪ adequate formal enough in quantity or good enough in quality for a particular purpose:
All staff must be given adequate training in health and safety.
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The heating system was barely adequate.
▪ ample more than enough for what is needed:
Local residents will be given ample opportunity to express their views.
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People used to think that 1 GB of memory was ample for the average personal computer.
▪ plenty an amount that is enough or more than enough:
Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport.
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Your daughter won’t need much cash at camp ($20-$25 will be plenty).
▪ something will do/something should do spoken used to say that a particular number or amount will be enough for what you need:
‘How many envelopes do you want?’ ‘Ten should do.’
II. plenty 2 BrE AmE adverb informal
1 . plenty big/fast/warm etc enough used to emphasize that something is more than big enough, fast enough etc:
This apartment’s plenty big enough for two.
2 . American English a lot or very:
I’d practiced plenty.
I was plenty nervous.
III. plenty 3 BrE AmE noun [uncountable] formal
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: plenté , from Latin plenitas 'fullness' , from plenus 'full' ]
1 . a situation in which there is a lot of food and goods available for people:
a land of plenty
2 . in plenty in large supply or more than enough:
There was food and wine in plenty.