amount
The amount of rainfall this year was higher than average.
This sentence uses 'amount' to refer to the total quantity of rainfall.
A quantity of something, typically the total of a thing or things in number, size, value, or extent.
She spent a large amount of money on the trip.
Here, 'amount' refers to the total sum of money spent.
The amount of sugar in the recipe is critical.
In this context, 'amount' denotes the total quantity of sugar required.
Used for uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money, time) or plural countable nouns when referring to a total sum.
To add up to; to be equivalent to.
The fees amount to $200.
Here, 'amount' means the total sum of fees equals $200.
His efforts amounted to nothing.
This means his efforts resulted in no tangible outcome.
Used as a verb to indicate the result of a total sum or outcome.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Amount vs. Number
Use 'amount' for uncountable nouns (e.g., 'amount of sugar') and 'number' for countable nouns (e.g., 'number of students').
Gold Rule
Correct Usage with Nouns
Use 'amount' with uncountable nouns or plural nouns referring to a total sum. Use 'number' for singular countable nouns.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'amounte' (to ascend), from Old French 'amunter' (to mount up), from Vulgar Latin '*admontāre' (to ascend), from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'montāre' (to mount). Originally meant 'to ascend' or 'to rise', later evolving to mean 'to reach a total'.
Usage Notes
Use 'amount' for uncountable nouns (e.g., 'amount of water') or plural countable nouns when referring to a total sum. For singular countable nouns, use 'number' (e.g., 'a number of cars'). Avoid using 'amount' with plural countable nouns unless referring to a total sum (e.g., 'the amount of books' is incorrect; use 'the number of books').