Abundance
/əˈbʌndəns/
nounB2
Definition
Abundance is when there is a very large quantity of something, often more than what is needed. It shows that something exists in great supply or plenty. People often use it to describe things like food, resources, or good feelings that are available in large amounts.
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⚡ See It in Action
A very large quantity of something
- •The garden had an abundance of flowers this spring.
- •There was an abundance of food at the party.
- •The river provides an abundance of fish for the village.
A situation where there is more than enough of something
- •She lived a life of abundance and happiness.
- •Thanks to the good harvest, the farmers enjoyed abundance this year.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "abundance" like "a lot," but much bigger and more than enough to share or use freely.
- ✓Picture a big basket full of ripe fruits that almost overflow because there are so many.
- ✓It feels like when you have so many friends around that you never feel lonely—full and happy.
- ✓Sounds like "a-BUN-dance" → imagine a dance party with lots of buns (bread) for everyone, showing there is plenty.
- ✓Imagine stories where a farmer’s field is full of golden wheat, more than he can carry.
- ✓NOT like "some" (a small amount), abundance means a very large amount.
- ✓NOT like "scarcity" (very little), abundance is the opposite, lots and lots available.
- ✓NOT like "enough" (just the right amount), abundance means more than enough.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Plenty: a large amount, enough or more (Use when speaking casually about a big quantity)
- •Wealth: a large amount of valuable things or money (Use when talking about money or valuable resources)
- •Profusion: a large amount, often used in formal or literary contexts (Use when you want to sound more poetic or formal)
- •Excess: more than what is needed (Use when the amount is too much or more than necessary)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ab-" (from, away) + "undare" (Latin root meaning to flow, wave) + "-ance" (noun suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "abundantia," meaning overflowing or plentiful
- •Historical development: Used since the 1400s in English to describe overflowing supply or richness
- •Modern usage: Used to describe large amounts of anything, especially resources, feelings, or qualities
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does having abundance change the way people feel or act compared to having just enough?
•Can abundance sometimes cause problems? When might too much of something be a bad thing?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The farmer’s field showed abundance because it was ___ with crops after the rainy season.
2.When there is abundance of food, people usually feel ___ and satisfied.
3.Unlike scarcity, abundance means there is ___ of something available.
4.She danced with joy, feeling the abundance of ___ in her life.
5.The festival was full of abundance, with music, food, and ___ for everyone.
6.Abundance often comes after hard work or ___ conditions.
7.People who live in abundance often share their ___ with others.