lot

/lɔt/

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The word "lot" is a versatile English word that can have several meanings and uses. Let's break it down in an easy way for you to understand.

Basic Definition

1. Noun: In the Old Testament, Lot was the nephew of Abraham. He was saved by God when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
2. General Meaning: A "lot" can refer to a collection of items or a group of things, often chosen randomly or in large quantities.

Usage Instructions

• "Lot" can be used as a noun or a verb.
• When using "lot" as a noun, it often expresses a large number or amount of something.
• As a verb, it can mean to divide something into smaller parts.

Examples

• Noun: "She bought a lot of clothes during the sale." (meaning a large number of clothes)
• Noun: "He has a lovely lot by the lake." (referring to a piece of land)
• Verb: "They decided to lot the parcels of land for sale." (meaning to divide the land into smaller pieces)

Advanced Usage

• Idioms:

  • "A lot on one's plate" means to have many responsibilities or tasks to handle.
  • "A lucky lot" refers to a person who has good luck or fortune.

• Phrasal Verb: "To lot out" means to divide something into lots.

Different Meanings

1. A Collection: "She has a lot of books." (indicating a large quantity)
2. Circumstances: "He has had a tough lot in life." (referring to his overall situation)
3. Parcel of Land: "They purchased a residential lot for their new house." (indicating a specific area of land)
4. Random Selection: "They drew lots to decide who would go first." (meaning to make a choice at random)

Word Variants

• Lots (plural): Refers to multiple collections or groups.
• Lotting (verb form): The act of dividing something into lots.

Synonyms

• A lot (in quantity): a large number, a great deal, a multitude, plenty, a bunch.
• Lot (as in land): parcel, plot, tract.

Summary

The word "lot" is useful in many contexts. Whether you're talking about a large number of items, a piece of land, or your circumstances in life, "lot" can apply.

Academic

Noun

1. (Old Testament) nephew of Abraham; God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but chose to spare Lot and his family who were told to flee without looking back at the destruction
2. any collection in its entirety
   • she bought the whole caboodle
3. anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random
   • the luck of the draw
   • they drew lots for it
4. your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
   • whatever my fortune may be
   • deserved a better fate
   • has a happy lot
   • the luck of the Irish
   • a victim of circumstances
   • success that was her portion
5. an unofficial association of people or groups
   • the smart set goes there
   • they were an angry lot
6. a parcel of land having fixed boundaries
   • he bought a lot on the lake
7. (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
   • a batch of letters
   • a deal of trouble
   • a lot of money
   • he made a mint on the stock market
   • see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
   • it must have cost plenty
   • a slew of journalists
   • a wad of money

Verb

1. administer or bestow, as in small portions
   • administer critical remarks to everyone present
   • dole out some money
   • shell out pocket money for the children
   • deal a blow to someone
   • the machine dispenses soft drinks
2. divide into lots, as of land, for example

Synonyms

• Lot
• bunch
• caboodle
• draw
• fortune
• destiny
• fate
• luck
• circumstances
• portion
• set
• circle
• band
• batch