a host of — a large number or amount of something
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a large number or amount of something
Pronunciation (IPA): /ə hoʊst əv/
Example Sentences
- My smartphone has a host of apps I never use, like a digital graveyard.
- The new policy brought a host of unexpected complications.
- Online shopping offers a host of advantages over traditional retail.
a host of
NOUN[/ə hoʊst əv/]
a large number or amount of something
A host of fireflies suddenly lit up the quiet summer pond at dusk.
A host of people gather at the coast, most gazing up in wonder!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase derives from Latin 'hostis', originally meaning 'enemy' or 'army'. During the medieval period, 'host' came to denote a large military force, and subsequently generalized to mean any large gathering or multitude of things.
Breakdown
hostis (Latin: enemy, army) → host (large number, multitude). The semantic shift reflects the transition from a military context to a general quantitative sense.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My smartphone has a host of apps I never use, like a digital graveyard.”
“The new policy brought a host of unexpected complications.”
“Online shopping offers a host of advantages over traditional retail.”
“My cat's daily routine includes a host of mysterious activities that I'll never understand.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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