lot
lot
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "lot" is /lɒt/.
/lɒt/
Word Form Variations
Noun: lot (singular), lots (plural)
Adverb: lot (informal, often with "a")
Verb: (No direct verb form in common use; related to "allot" or "draw lots")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A large number or amount of something; a great deal.
Synonyms: abundance, plenty, multitude, heap, mass, much, many
Antonyms: little, few, scarcity, dearth, handful, fraction
Definition 2: A parcel of land, typically one on which a building has been or may be built.
Synonyms: plot, parcel, tract, piece of land, building site
Antonyms: expanse, wilderness, whole (as in an undivided area)
Definition 3: A collection of items for sale, especially at an auction, considered as a single unit.
Synonyms: parcel, batch, set, group, collection
Antonyms: individual item, single unit
Definition 4: (Archaic) A means of making a choice or decision by chance, typically by drawing pieces of marked paper or other objects from a container.
Synonyms: chance, fortune, destiny, fate, drawing (of lots)
Antonyms: choice, decision, will, design
Definition 5: (Informal) One's situation or circumstances in life; one's destiny or fate.
Synonyms: fate, destiny, fortune, plight, predicament, portion
Antonyms: choice, free will, self-determination, agency
Definition 6: (With "the") A particular group or kind of people or things.
Synonyms: group, set, crew, bunch, gang
Antonyms: individual, outsider, separate entity
Adverb
Definition 1 (informal): To a great extent or degree; much. (Always preceded by "a" as in "a lot")
Synonyms: greatly, much, considerably, significantly, intensely
Antonyms: little, slightly, scarcely, barely, minimally
Examples of Use
Books:
"He inherited a vacant lot on the outskirts of town, envisioning a bustling community garden there." (Fictional example from a community-focused novel)
"The explorer collected a whole lot of rare botanical specimens during his expedition to the Amazon." (From a non-fiction account of scientific discovery)
"Though their humble beginnings were difficult, it was their destiny, their lot, to rise above adversity and achieve greatness." (From a biographical or inspirational text)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved the rezoning of a commercial lot for a new residential development." ("The Standard,’’)
"A lot of new businesses are opening in the downtown area, boosting the local economy." ("Daily Nation,")
"At the charity auction, the antique vase was sold as part of a single lot including other Victorian-era items." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"How to choose the perfect building lot for your dream home: A comprehensive guide." (An article on a real estate blog, e.g., "HGTV.com,")
"There's a whole lot of excitement building around the release of the new AI-powered graphics cards." (A tech news report on "The Verge,")
"He won a lot of praise for his innovative approach to sustainable farming." (A profile on an agricultural news site, e.g., "Agri-Pulse Online,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. A whole lot has changed." (Dialogue inspired by The Wizard of Oz, 1939)
Television Series: "For your next challenge, you must navigate this treacherous obstacle course, a whole lot harder than it looks." (Instructions on a reality competition show, e.g., American Ninja Warrior)
Song Lyrics: "I got a lot of things to tell you, but I don't know where to start." (From the song "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel, 1972)
Video Games: "You've collected a whole lot of rare loot from that dungeon!" (In-game notification to the player, e.g., Diablo IV)
Podcasts: "We learned a lot from our guest today about the history of urban planning." (A podcast host concluding an interview, e.g., "99% Invisible")
General Public Discourse:
"I have a lot of work to do before the deadline." (A common statement about workload)
"Did you get a good parking lot at the mall?" (A casual question about parking)
"That car cost me a whole lot of money." (A statement about expense)
"We drew lots to decide who would go first in the game." (Describing a method of chance)
"Life throws a lot at you, but you just have to keep going." (A philosophical observation)
"There are a lot of people waiting outside the stadium." (An observation about a crowd)
10 Famous Quotes Using Lot
“A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I’m afraid of widths.” – Steven Wright
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel — and that says a lot.” – Maya Angelou
“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.” – Erma Bombeck
“There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?” – Pam Beesly (The Office)
“A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about.” – Miguel de Unamuno
“A lot of people quit looking for work as soon as they find a job.” – Zig Ziglar
“You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.” – Ronald Reagan
“There are a lot of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.” – Josh Billings
“It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” – Dolly Parton
“I like flaws. I think they make things interesting. A lot more interesting than perfection.” – Marc Jacobs
Etymology
The word "lot" has a surprisingly old and interesting journey through the English language, with its original meaning being quite specific.
It comes from the Old English word hlot, which meant "an object used to determine someone's share by chance." Think of it like a pebble, a marked stick, or a piece of wood that would be drawn from a container to decide something randomly – like drawing straws today.
This Old English word traces back to Proto-Germanic roots, indicating a long history of this practice in Germanic cultures.
So, the first known use of "lot" in English, dating back to before the 12th century (Old English period), was directly related to this idea of:
A physical object used for drawing lots (chance).
The outcome or "share" that one received as a result of such a random drawing. This is where the meaning "one's destiny or fate" came from – what was "allotted" to you by chance.
Over time, the meaning broadened. From "a share" or "portion," it expanded to mean:
A "plot of land" (especially in American English, where land was often divided by drawing lots in new settlements). This use appeared in the 17th century.
A "group or collection of items" (like at an auction, where items are sold as a single "lot"). This emerged in the 18th century.
Finally, the very common modern informal use of "a lot" meaning "a great many" or "a great amount" (e.g., "a lot of people," "a lot of money") developed even later, around the 19th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Lot
A lot of: A large amount or number of.
The whole lot: Everything; all of it.
Draw lots: To make a decision by chance, typically by drawing slips of paper or other objects.
Parking lot: An area provided for parking motor vehicles.
Building lot: A parcel of land designated for construction.
To cast one's lot with: To commit one's future to; to join forces with.
Odd lot: A number of shares less than a standard trading unit (in finance); (informal) a disparate or strange group of people/things.
To get one's just deserts: To receive the punishment or reward that one deserves. (Synonymous with receiving one's 'lot' or due fate).
Thank your lucky stars: To be grateful for good fortune. (Implies a favorable 'lot' or destiny).
The common lot: The usual or shared fate or experience of most people.
To throw in one's lot: To join or unite with someone or something, often in a shared destiny.
A bad lot: An undesirable or morally questionable person or group.
To clear the lot: To remove all items from a given space, especially a piece of land. (Original phrase for action on a plot of land)
To win the lot: To receive the entire allocation or prize. (Lesser-known, specific to winning a distribution)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of lot from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
