Cool MateLegions vs Multitude
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Legions
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Multitude
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Most common: Multitude
| Legions | Multitude | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈliːdʒənz//🇺🇸 //ˈliːdʒənz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmʌltɪtjuːd//🇺🇸 //ˈmʌltɪtud// |
| Meaning | A large group of soldiers or people. | A large number of things or people. |
| Example | The ancient legions marched across the battlefield with great discipline. | A multitude of stars filled the night sky. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | legions of soldiers, legions of fans, legions of supporters | multitude of choices, multitude of options, multitude of voices |
| Antonyms | individual, single, solitary | few, scarcity, single |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'legion' as a singular noun., Used inappropriately in informal contexts., Misunderstood as only referring to soldiers. | 'Multitude' is often confused with 'variety', but they mean different things., Learners may use 'multitude' uncountably, but it can also refer to countable items., Some may incorrectly say 'multitudes' when they mean 'a multitude', which implies a singular group. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal and historical contexts. Not common in everyday speech. Can imply many people in various situations. | Used to describe a large group often in a formal or poetic context. Avoid in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Legions vs Multitude
What's the difference between Legions and Multitude?
Legions: A large group of soldiers or people. Multitude: A large number of things or people.
Which is more common: Legions and Multitude?
Multitude is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Legions: The ancient legions marched across the battlefield with great discipline. Multitude: A multitude of stars filled the night sky.
Can I use Legions and Multitude interchangeably?
Not always. Legions and Multitude are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.