lion's share: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “lion's share” mean?
The largest or greatest part of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The largest or greatest part of something; the majority.
A disproportionately large portion, often implying that the share is unfair or that others get little by comparison.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. It is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often implies an inequitable or dominant distribution.
Frequency
Common in both formal writing and everyday speech in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “lion's share” in a Sentence
[Entity] takes/claims/receives the lion's share of [resource/attention/profit].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lion's share” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The senior partner invariably lionshares the bonuses.
- The CEO is accused of lion's-sharing the credit.
American English
- The lead developer lion-shared the recognition for the project.
- He tends to lionshare the praise.
adverb
British English
- The profits were distributed lion's-share unfairly.
- Resources were allocated lion's-share to the flagship project.
American English
- The benefits accrued lion's-share to the early investors.
- He took credit lion's-share for the team's success.
adjective
British English
- The lion's-share portion of the budget is already spent.
- She received a lion's-share allocation of office space.
American English
- The lion's-share amount of the grant went to one lab.
- They argued over the lion's-share slice of the market.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe profit distribution, market share, or budget allocation.
Academic
Used in economics, sociology, and political science to discuss resource distribution.
Everyday
Commonly used when discussing how time, money, or food is divided among people.
Technical
Less common in highly technical fields, but may appear in technical project management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lion's share”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lion's share”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lion's share”
- Using the plural form *lions' share*.
- Using it for a simple majority (e.g., 51%); it implies a much larger, dominant share.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it frequently carries a connotation of unfairness or dominance. It can be used neutrally to simply mean 'the majority', but context often implies inequality.
Yes, but be cautious. For example: 'She did the lion's share of the work, so she deserves the lion's share of the reward.' It acknowledges effort but can still sound like others are deprived.
It originates from Aesop's Fables, specifically the fable 'The Lion's Share', where a lion claims all the prey for himself based on his strength and status.
No, the standard and correct form is always the singular possessive 'lion's share'. Using the plural possessive ('lions' share') is a common mistake.
The largest or greatest part of something.
Lion's share is usually formal / figurative in register.
Lion's share: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪ.ənz ˌʃeə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪ.ənz ˌʃer/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The lion's share of the pie.”
- “To take the lion's share.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pride of lions eating a kill – the biggest, strongest lion gets the largest, best part. The 'lion's share' is the biggest piece.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTRIBUTION IS DIVISION OF PREY / DOMINANCE IS SIZE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'the lion's share'?