lot

lot1 [ lat ] function word, quantifier ***

A lot can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb:

He seems to like her a lot. (before a comparative adjective or adverb):

I feel a lot better.

as a pronoun:

We didn't get paid a lot, but we had fun. (followed by of ):

A lot of people don't like the idea much.

Lots can be used in the same way as a lot but is more informal:

She knows lots about it.

There's lots to eat in the kitchen.

a lot

1. ) to a great or greater degree:

I liked her a lot.

I can run a lot faster than you.

Men take a lot longer in the supermarket than women.

We're playing a lot better under the new coach.

2. ) often or for a long time:

I talk a lot, I know.

We see her in the mornings a lot, taking the children off to school.

She gets sad when she thinks about him, which happens a lot.

3. ) a lot/lots a large number, amount, or quantity:

We're paying her a lot for her services.

Have another piece of cake there's lots more in the kitchen.

a lot of: Barb used to have a lot of friends in New York.

I've got a lot of work to do.

There are a lot of questions that still remain unanswered.

The idea has attracted lots of publicity.

I see a lot of similarity between the two industries.

He's making lots of money.

a lot/lots to do/see/eat etc.: There's a lot to see in London.

an awful lot: I owe them an awful lot.

lots and lots: There were lots and lots of posters to choose from.

=> MANY

=> MUCH

have a lot going on

to be very busy:

I've got a lot going on this weekend I don't think I can see you.

have a lot on your mind

to be worried or thinking about many things:

He's hard to talk to at the moment he's got a lot on his mind.

=> ANSWER FOR

lot

lot 2 [ lat ] noun count ***

▸ 1 small area of land

▸ 2 where movies are made

▸ 3 thing(s) to be sold

▸ 4 all of something

▸ 5 group of people/things

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) a small area of land used for a particular purpose: PLOT:

They bought a small lot behind the church.

2. ) the buildings and the land around them where movies are made

3. ) a thing or group of things that are to be sold, especially in an AUCTION:

The sale of wine reached $9 million at Christie's with fewer than half the lots sold.

4. ) the lot MAINLY BRITISH all of a number or amount that you have just mentioned:

I offered him half, but he got greedy and wanted the lot.

5. ) BRITISH a group or set of people or things:

lot of: I've just finished typing one lot of letters.

a ) BRITISH INFORMAL a particular group of people:

I thought this lot might have been a bit more sympathetic to my approach.

someone's lot (in life)

someone's general situation in life, especially when this is not very good:

Miss Wilkinson was never satisfied with her lot in life.

that's your lot SPOKEN

used for telling someone that they have had all of something and there will be no more:

OK folks, time to go home. That's your lot.

throw in/cast your lot with someone

to decide to support or work with a particular person or group of people

=> DRAW1