majority
B1Formal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
The greater number or part; more than half of a total.
The number by which votes for one candidate or option exceed those for the next; the age at which a person gains full legal rights and responsibilities; the status of having reached this age.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a decisive or significant numerical advantage. Can refer to a simple majority (more than half) or an absolute majority (more than half of all possible votes/members). In legal contexts, specifically denotes the age of legal adulthood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK political contexts, 'majority' often refers specifically to the number of seats by which the governing party exceeds the opposition (e.g., 'a majority of 20'). In US contexts, it's more commonly used for vote percentages. The verb 'to major in' (US) is 'to read' or 'to study' in UK academic slang, but this is unrelated to the noun 'majority'.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Carries connotations of authority, decision-making power, and democratic principle.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, especially in political, legal, and statistical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the majority of + [plural noun phrase] (e.g., the majority of voters)a/the majority + [singular/plural verb] (verb agreement depends on emphasis)by a majority of + [number]in the majorityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The majority rules.”
- “Join the majority (euphemism for die).”
- “The silent majority.”
- “A majority of one.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to controlling ownership (>50% of shares). 'The parent company holds a majority stake in the subsidiary.'
Academic
Used in statistical reporting and analysis. 'The majority of studies reviewed supported the hypothesis.'
Everyday
Describing general preferences or common situations. 'The majority of my friends prefer coffee to tea.'
Technical
In law: 'age of majority' (18 in UK/ most US states). In politics: types of majorities (simple, qualified, super).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - 'majority' is not standardly used as a verb in British English.
American English
- N/A - 'majority' is not standardly used as a verb in American English. The related verb is 'to major in' (a subject).
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The majority verdict was delivered after hours of deliberation.
- She is the majority shareholder.
American English
- The majority opinion of the court was published today.
- He won by a majority vote.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The majority of children like sweets.
- A majority of the class passed the test.
- The vast majority of citizens voted in the election.
- She inherited the money when she reached the age of majority.
- The government failed to secure an absolute majority in parliament.
- Despite the controversy, the majority opinion among experts is that the policy is sound.
- The committee's decision was carried by a narrow majority of just three votes.
- Attaining the age of majority confers both legal rights and responsibilities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAJOR concert. The MAJORity of people want to attend the MAJOR event.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE/STRENGTH (a 'big' number, a 'strong' majority). DEMOCRACY IS THE RULE OF THE MAJORITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'большинство' (correct) and 'мажоритарный' (related to majority systems). The Russian word can sometimes imply a simple plurality, whereas English 'majority' strictly requires more than half unless specified as 'plurality' (US).
Common Mistakes
- Using a plural verb after 'the majority' when it refers to a single collective entity (e.g., 'The majority has decided' is also correct, not always 'have').
- Using 'majority' for any large number less than half (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'a majority of one' typically imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both can be correct. Use a singular verb ('is') when treating the majority as a single unit or figure. Use a plural verb ('are') when emphasizing the individual members making up the majority. Example: 'The majority is in favour.' vs. 'The majority of voters are dissatisfied.'
In strict usage, a 'majority' is more than half (e.g., 51% or more). A 'plurality' (common in US English) is the largest number among several options, but not necessarily more than half (e.g., 40% when others have 30% and 30%).
Typically, no. 'Majority' refers to a number of countable items or people. For uncountable things, use 'most of' (e.g., 'most of the water', not 'the majority of the water').
It is the legally defined age at which a person is considered an adult, gaining full civil and legal rights (like signing contracts) and responsibilities. This age varies by country, but is commonly 18.
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