countless
/'kauntlis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Too numerous to be counted; innumerable: Describes a quantity so large that it cannot be measured or enumerated. It emphasizes an overwhelming, indefinite number.
Usage
- The adjective "countless" is used to modify nouns, typically plural, to indicate an immense, uncountable number. It is often used for dramatic or hyperbolic effect.
- It is generally used in a neutral or descriptive context but can imply a positive or negative connotation depending on the noun it modifies (e.g., countless opportunities vs. countless problems).
Examples
- Adjective:
- She has read countless books on the subject.
- The artist made countless sketches before finishing the painting.
- We have faced countless challenges during this project.
Advanced Usage
- "countless as the stars": A poetic or hyperbolic comparison emphasizing a number beyond calculation.
- The possibilities are as countless as the stars in the sky.
- "countless times": Used to indicate that something has happened very frequently.
- I've told you countless times to be careful.
Variants and Related Words
- Innumerable (adj): Too many to be counted; synonymous with "countless."
- Myriad (adj/noun): Constituting a very large, indefinite number; often used similarly to "countless."
- Untold (adj): Too much or too many to be measured or counted; often used for amounts or suffering (e.g., untold wealth, untold misery).
- Incalculable (adj): Too great to be calculated or estimated; often used for value or effect.
Synonyms
- Innumerable
- Numberless
- Uncountable
- Myriad
- Infinite (in hyperbolic use)
Antonyms
- Countable
- Few
- Limited
- Numbered
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A countless number of: A phrase reinforcing the meaning of "countless."
- He has helped a countless number of people in his career.
- Beyond count: Essentially synonymous with "countless."
- The grains of sand on the beach are beyond count.
Adjective
- too numerous to be counted
- incalculable riches
- countless hours
- an infinite number of reasons
- innumerable difficulties
- the multitudinous seas
- myriad stars
- untold thousands