1
Large quantity
Available or present in an amount well beyond what is sparse or limited.
Example
The archive contains copious records from the nineteenth century.
copious
/ˈkoʊpiəs/ · KOH-pee-uhsadjective
Abundant or plentiful in quantity.
Use copious when something exists, is produced, or is supplied in a notably large amount.
What copious Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Abundant output
Produced in large amounts through sustained work or observation.
Example
The field researcher took copious notes throughout the expedition.
3
More than enough
Supplied so generously that the quantity may feel excessive for the purpose.
Example
The appendix provides copious detail about every minor revision.
Use copious Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The field researcher took copious notes, recording every change in temperature and animal behaviour.
The archive contains copious records from the nineteenth century.
Copious evidence from several sites supports the revised chronology.
Precision Matters
Copious overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
copious
vs.Often emphasises a noticeably large, sometimes overflowing amount.
abundant
Broadly means plentiful or more than sufficient.
copious
vs.Describes the quantity of material or output.
prolific
Describes a person or source that produces much.
copious
vs.Concerns quantity rather than coverage.
comprehensive
Means complete in scope, even if concise.
copious
vs.Does not necessarily criticise the amount.
verbose
Criticises the use of more words than necessary.
Test copious in Context
A year of recording many kinds of observations tells you what the notes are like.
1
During the year-long field study, Rao recorded every shift in temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and animal behaviour, producing copious notes.
As used in the text, “copious” most nearly means…