Copious: meaning, definitions and examples

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copious

[ˈkəʊpiəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

used to describe abundance or large quantity

Copious means yielding something abundantly. It is often used to describe something that is plentiful or in large quantity.

Synonyms

abundant, ample, plentiful, profuse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
copious	When you want to emphasize a very large amount of something, often with a connotation of it being overwhelming or more than necessary. She took copious notes during the lecture. There were copious amounts of food at the banquet.
abundant	Use when describing a large quantity that is more than enough, often in a positive context. The garden was abundant with flowers. They have an abundant supply of fresh water.
plentiful	When there is a generous or sufficient amount of something, often used for resources or goods. The harvest this year was plentiful. Opportunities for jobs in this industry are plentiful.
ample	Best used when describing an adequate or more than sufficient quantity, especially in terms of space or time. There is ample parking available at the venue. We had ample time to complete the project.
profuse	Generally used to describe something being given or offered in a large amount, often excessively so and may have a slightly negative connotation. He apologized profusely for his mistake. They gave her profuse compliments, making her blush.

Examples of usage

There was a copious amount of food at the party.
She took copious notes during the lecture.
The plant produced copious flowers in the spring.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

used to describe excessive amount or volume

Copious can also be used to describe something that is excessive or more than necessary.

Synonyms

excessive, extravagant, overflowing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
copious	Use 'copious' to imply a large quantity of something, often in a neutral or positive sense. It conveys abundance without necessarily implying waste. She took copious notes during the lecture. The garden was filled with copious flowers.
excessive	Use 'excessive' when describing something that is more than necessary or reasonable, often with a negative connotation. His spending on luxury items is excessive. The noise from the party was excessive and disruptive.
overflowing	Use 'overflowing' to describe something that is filled beyond its capacity, often implying abundance that is visually apparent. The river was overflowing after the heavy rains. The basket was overflowing with fruit.
extravagant	Use 'extravagant' when referring to wasteful spending or actions that are overly lavish or luxurious, often with a negative conotation. Her extravagant lifestyle quickly drained her savings. The wedding was extravagant, with no expenses spared.

Examples of usage

She received copious amounts of criticism for her work.
He wrote copious pages for his research paper.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term has roots in Latin, derived from 'copia', meaning abundance or plenty.
It was first recorded in English in the late 14th century, highlighting the richness of ideas or things at that time.

Literature

Famous authors, like Charles Dickens, often described settings as 'copious' to evoke vivid imagery in their readers’ minds.
In academic writing, the use of 'copious' can indicate extensive research or a wealth of supporting evidence.

Science

In environmental science, 'copious' often describes large quantities of substances, such as rainfall or wildlife, impacting ecosystems.
A copious amount of data is crucial in scientific research, aiding in accurate conclusions and studies.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'copious notes' is frequently used in student life, referring to students who take extensive notes to prepare for exams.
In social media, users often boast about their 'copious' adventures, sharing countless photos and updates from their travels.

Psychology

'Copious' can describe collections of memories or experiences in a person’s mind, shaping their identity and worldview.
Researchers may refer to 'copious' experiences when discussing how exposure to various events influences emotional growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "copious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 copioso

🇮🇳 प्रचुर

🇩🇪 reichlich

🇮🇩 melimpah

🇺🇦 рясний

🇵🇱 obfity

🇯🇵 豊富な

🇫🇷 copieux

🇪🇸 copioso

🇹🇷 bol

🇰🇷 풍부한

🇸🇦 وافر

🇨🇿 hojný

🇸🇰 hojný

🇨🇳 丰富的

🇸🇮 obilen

🇮🇸 ríkulegur

🇰🇿 молшылық

🇬🇪 უხვი

🇦🇿 bol

🇲🇽 copioso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,319, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11316 clustering
11317 discriminating
11318 deities
11319 copious
11320 controllers
11321 validated
11322 striped
...