ample

/ˈæmpəl/

/ˈæmpəl/

Other forms: ampler; amplest

Ample describes an abundance of something. An ample supply of apple muffins at the bake sale is a good thing, as is ample legroom in your new van — but if the vet notices your dog's ample waistline, you might have to put Fido on a diet.

Like amplify (crank up the volume), ample is from the Latin word amplus, meaning "large or spacious." Ample can be enough or even too much of something. It's great when there's ample parking or ample snacks for a hike, and we'd all be happy if we had ample time and money. But there are things that some people don't want more of — if your principal has ample evidence that you started the food fight in the cafeteria, you're probably going to end up in detention.

Definitions of ample

1. adjective

   more than enough in size or scope or capacity
   “had ample food for the party”

   “an ample supply”

   synonyms:

   abundant, aplenty

   present in great quantity

   full, good

   having the normally expected amount

   generous

   more than adequate

   full, wide, wide-cut

   having ample fabric

   sufficient

   of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

   antonyms:

   meager

   deficient in amount or quality or extent

   scarce

   deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand

   bare, scanty, spare

   lacking in amplitude or quantity

   exiguous

   extremely scanty

   hand-to-mouth

   providing only bare essentials

   hardscrabble

   barely satisfying a lower standard

   measly, miserable, paltry

   contemptibly small in amount

   minimal, minimum

   the least possible

   deficient, insufficient

   of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
2. adjective

   affording an abundant supply
   “had ample food for the party”

   synonyms: copious, plenteous, plentiful, rich

   abundant, aplenty

   present in great quantity
3. adjective

   fairly large
   “an ample waistline”

   “of ample proportions”

   synonyms: sizable, sizeable

   big, large

   above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent