ample

adjective

am·​ple ˈam-pəl How to pronounce ample (audio)
1
: generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity
There was room for an ample garden.
2
: generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or need
They had ample money for the trip.
3
: buxom, portly
an ample figure
ampleness noun
amply adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for ample

spacious, commodious, capacious, ample mean larger in extent or capacity than the average.

spacious implies great length and breadth.

a spacious front lawn

commodious stresses roominess and comfortableness.

a commodious and airy penthouse apartment

capacious stresses the ability to hold, contain, or retain more than the average.

a capacious suitcase

ample implies having a greater size, expanse, or amount than that deemed adequate.

ample closet space

plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than sufficient without being excessive.

plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.

streams abundant with fish

copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

Examples of ample in a Sentence

They had ample money for the trip. The police found ample evidence of wrongdoing. There is ample parking at the stadium. You will have ample opportunity to finish the test. The light in the room is more than ample. There was room for an ample garden. an ample serving of pie
Recent Examples on the Web Situated on a spacious 0.5-acre lot, the property offers ample outdoor space. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024 These days, there’s ample talk in the streets about what’s going to be the next big thing in denim. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024 Both the terrace on the main level and the one on the second floor have ample lounging space, a fire pit, and jaw-dropping lake views. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024 The lightweight rain jacket has all the makings of becoming your go-to for sprinkles and downpours alike, including ample pockets for your belongings, elastic cuffs to prevent water from running down your arms, and adjustable drawstrings on the hood and waist for keeping wind and rain out. Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024 This plush blanket provides ample cushioning for tummy time, and the thick fabric is warm and snuggly for colder weather. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024 As chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which reviews foreign ownership of firms in the U.S., Yellen has ample leeway to determine how the company could remain operating in the U.S. Zeke Miller, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024 Read more The claim: Pictures show the Earth is flat, and sea levels haven’t changed Our rating: False Scientists have ample evidence the Earth is curved, including images of the planet taken from outer space. Kim Breen, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024 Many describe positive experiences—straightforward onboarding processes, an ample supply of tasks, and good pay. Will Henshall, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ample.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "abundant," borrowed from Anglo-French, "wide, extensive, great," going back to Latin amplus "more than adequate in size or extent, great, having wide scope (of the mind or other abstract entities)," of uncertain origin

Note: M. de Vaan (Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Brill, 2008) sees amplus going back to *am-lo-, a derivative of a verb base *am- going back to Indo-European *h2emh3- "take hold of" (see amateur). Semantically this hypothesis works well, though it requires that the more likely form *am-a-lo- would have undergone early syncope. The word ampla, supposedly meaning "handle," would be corroboration; however, attestations for ampla are post-classical, excepting an apparent metaphorical employment in the sense "opportunity" by Cicero.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ample was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ample

Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ample. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

ample

adjective
am·​ple ˈam-pəl How to pronounce ample (audio)
ampler -p(ə-)lər How to pronounce ample (audio) ; amplest -p(ə-)ləst How to pronounce ample (audio)
1
: generous in size, scope, or capacity : copious
ample room for a garden
2
: enough to satisfy a need
ample money for the trip
ampleness noun
amply adverb

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