Definition

Noun: 1. A large number or amount; a great deal: Used to indicate a considerable quantity of something, often with "of". 2. A distinct portion or plot of land: A piece of land designated for a specific purpose, such as building or parking. 3. An item or set of items for sale at an auction: A collection of objects grouped together and sold as one unit. 4. One's fate, fortune, or situation in life: The circumstances or destiny assigned to a person. 5. A method of deciding something by chance: The act of drawing or casting lots (e.g., straws, slips of paper) to make a random selection. 6. A group of people or things of the same kind: Often used informally to refer to a set of people, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.

Verb: 1. To divide (land) into portions: To parcel out an area into separate plots. 2. To assign by lot: To distribute or decide something using a random method (archaic).

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (large amount):
  • She has a lot of experience in this field.
  • There is a lot to learn about this culture.
  • I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday.
• As a noun (plot of land):
  • They bought a vacant lot to build their dream house.
  • Please park your car in the visitor lot.
• As a noun (auction item):
  • The next lot for auction is a collection of vintage stamps.
• As a noun (fate):
  • It was his lot in life to care for his family.
  • She accepted her lot with quiet dignity.
• As a noun (group of people):
  • He's not a bad guy, but I don't trust that lot he hangs out with.
• As a verb:
  • The land was lotted into smaller parcels for development. (verb, to divide)
  • The roles were lotted among the actors. (verb, archaic, to assign by chance)

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• A bad lot: A person or group of people considered dishonest or undesirable.
  • Be careful doing business with him; I've heard he's a bad lot.
• Cast/throw in one's lot with (someone): To decide to share the fate or fortunes of another person or group.
  • He decided to cast his lot with the new political party.
• Draw lots: To decide something by choosing randomly (e.g., picking a straw, a name from a hat).
  • We couldn't decide who would go first, so we drew lots.
• The lot: The whole number or quantity; everything.
  • You can take the lot for a discounted price.

Variants and Related Words

• Lots (adv., informal): Very much; a great deal.
  • I like chocolate lots.
• Lottery (n): A contest where winners are selected by a random drawing.
• Allot (v): To assign or distribute as a share or portion.
• Allotment (n): 1. The action of allotting. 2. A small plot of land rented for growing vegetables or flowers.

Synonyms

• (Large amount): Much, many, a great deal, a large amount, plenty, loads (informal), tons (informal).
• (Plot of land): Plot, parcel, tract, patch.
• (Fate): Destiny, fortune, portion, destiny, situation.
• (Group): Group, set, bunch, crowd, batch.

Phrasal Verbs

• Lot out (v, rare): To divide or apportion. (Similar to the verb 'lot').
  • The commander lotted out the provisions to the soldiers.

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