A good many Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈɡʊd/, /ɡɪd/ /ˈmɛni

uh-GOOD-MEN-ee

UK

æɪ/ /ɡˈʊd/ /mˈɛni

uh-GOOD-MEN-ee

Definition

A phrase meaning 'a large number of,' used for countable things, similar to 'many' but with a little emphasis.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and slightly emphatic. Use only with countable nouns ("a good many people/students"). More expressive than plain "many"; avoid with uncountable nouns (not "a good many water"). Common in both spoken and written English, but less formal in tone.

• Spanish: bastantes - un buen número de
• Portuguese (BR): muitos - um bom número de
• Portuguese (PT): muitos - um bom número de
• Chinese (Simplified): 许多 - 相当多的
• Chinese (Traditional): 許多 - 相當多的
• Hindi: काफी सारे - बहुत से
• Arabic: عدد كبير من - الكثير من
• Bengali: অনেক - বেশ কিছু
• Russian: много - довольно много
• Japanese: かなり多くの - たくさんの
• Vietnamese: rất nhiều
• Korean: 상당히 많은 - 꽤 많은
• Turkish: oldukça çok - epey çok
• Urdu: کافی زیادہ - بہت سارے
• Indonesian: cukup banyak - sangat banyak

Example Sentences

There were a good many people at the meeting.

basic

We have a good many books in our library.

basic

He made a good many mistakes on the test.

basic

I've seen a good many movies this year.

natural

A good many students stayed after class to ask questions.

natural

We’ve had a good many chances, but we just couldn’t score.

natural