multitude

Universal Words noun (formal) 1 [C] ~ (of sth/sb) an extremely large number of things or people: a multitude of problems / possibilities / reasons * a multitude of birds / people / pedestrians * These elements can be combined in a multitude of different ways. * The region attracts tourists in their multitudes. 2 (the multitude) [sing.+sing./pl.v.] (also the multitudes [pl.]) (sometimes disapproving) the mass of ordinary people: It was an elite that believed its task was to enlighten the multitude. * to feed the starving multitudes 3 [C] (literary) a large crowd of people: He preached to the assembled multitude. IDIOMS cover / hide a multitude of sins (often humorous) to hide the real situation or facts when these are not good or pleasant: She was dressed in loose comfortable clothes that hid a multitude of sins.