pron许(很)多(large number or amount)(infml) 1)a lot，lots(与of 连用，修饰可数或不可数名词)：a～/～s of people/friends/presents/books 许多人/朋友/礼物/书;a～/～s of time/money/water/coal 很多时间/钱/水/煤;We had～s of fun. 我们玩得很开心。We've played～s of matches this season，but we haven't won many. 这个赛季我们进行了多次比赛，但是赢的不多。There is still a～of snow in the garden. 花园里仍然有许多雪。A～of us were invited to the party. 我们中许多人被邀请去参加聚会。2)a lot，lots(不与of连用)：eat/want a～/～s 吃/要很多;“Did you have much trouble with the customs?”“Rather a lot.”“你在海关遇到很多麻烦吗?” “麻烦真不少。”“Where are my shirts?” “There are a～in the washing machine.”“我的衬衣在哪儿?”“洗衣机里有好几件。”

a fat lot(用作反语)很少：A fat～of good it did him. 那对他一点儿好处也没有。

adv (1)a lot，lots(与形容词和副词的比较级连用)……得多(much)：a～/～s happier/older/more expensive/more quickly 快活/老/贵/快得多;Things are a～better than before. 情况比以前好多了。

(2)a lot(与动词连用)1)很(very much)：matter a～to sb 对某人很重要;The man in the photo looks a～like his brother. 照片里的那个人很像他的兄弟。2)经常(often)：travel/play football quite a～经常旅行/踢足球;see a～of sb 经常见某人