majority

/mə'dʤɔriti/

Thân thiện

A young person celebrates reaching the age of majority with family.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The greater number or part; more than half of a total: The state of being greater in number, especially when referring to a group or total.
   • The number by which votes for one candidate, party, or option exceed those for the next: The margin of victory in an election or vote.
   • The age at which a person is legally considered an adult and gains full civil rights: The age of legal adulthood.

Usage

• The word "majority" is used as a countable or uncountable noun.
• It is often followed by "of" when specifying the group (e.g., the majority of voters).
• When referring to an age, it is often used with possessive pronouns (e.g., ).
• It can be used with singular or plural verbs. A singular verb is used when "majority" is considered a single unit, while a plural verb is used when it refers to the individual members of the group.
  • The majority is in favor. (The group as a unit)
  • The majority are in favor. (The individual members)

Examples

• General Use (More than half):
  • The majority of the committee agreed with the proposal.
  • A clear majority of citizens support the new law.
• In Elections/Voting:
  • She won the election with a majority of 5,000 votes.
  • The bill passed by a narrow majority.
• Legal Age:
  • In many countries, the age of majority is 18.
  • He will inherit the estate when he attains his majority.

Advanced Usage

• "Absolute majority": More than half of all possible votes or members, not just those cast.
  • To win in the first round, a candidate needs an absolute majority.
• "Simple majority": More than half of the votes cast.
  • The motion was approved by a simple majority.
• "Silent majority": The presumed large group of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly.
  • Politicians often claim to speak for the silent majority.
• "Majority rule": The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.
  • Democracy is based on the concept of majority rule.

Variants and Related Words

• Major (adj): Greater in size, importance, or seriousness.
  • This is a major issue for the company.
• Majoritarian (adj): Relating to or believing in majority rule.
  • A majoritarian political system.

Synonyms

• Bulk: The larger part or main portion of something.
• Preponderance: The quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
• Plurality (in specific electoral contexts, meaning the largest number among several, but not necessarily a majority).

Antonyms

• Minority: The smaller number or part; less than half.
• Few: A small number of.

Idioms and Phrases

• "To be in the majority": To be part of the larger group.
  • For once, my opinion was in the majority.
• "Join the majority" (euphemism): To die.
  • After a long illness, he finally joined the majority.
• "Majority verdict": A verdict in a legal case reached by a majority of the jury, not necessarily unanimous.
  • The jury returned a majority verdict of guilty.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the age at which persons are considered competent to manage their own affairs
2. (elections) more than half of the votes
3. the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
   • the majority of his customers prefer it
   • the bulk of the work is finished

Từ đồng nghĩa

• legal age
• absolute majority
• bulk