English · Word Candidate

plural

/ˈplʊəɹəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: plurals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Consisting of or containing more than one of something.

Adjective

Examples

The notion of culture is one whose meanings are plural and shifting.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

In systems of number, not singular or not singular or dual.

Adjective

Examples

English nouns usually have singular and plural forms.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The plural number. In English, referring to more or less than one of something.

Noun

Examples

"There are three numbers; the singular, the dual, and the plural. [...] The dual is sometimes used to denote two objects, but even here the plural is more common."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A word in the form in which it potentially refers to something other than one person or thing; and other than two things if the language has a dual form.

Noun

Examples

The plural of 'cat' is 'cats', but the plural of 'child' is 'children'.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “plural” mean?

Consisting of or containing more than one of something.

Is “plural” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.