am·ple\ˈampəl, ˈaam-, ˈaim-\
adjective(
ampler \-pələ(r)\ ;
amplest \-pələ̇st\)
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin
amplus; probably akin to Latin
ampla handle and perhaps to Sanskrit
amatra vessel, drinking bowl; basic meaning: grasping
1. : marked by extensive or more than adequate size, volume, space, or room
< two celebrated palaces, each with an ample garden — T.B.Macaulay > < it is doubtful that the Fathers in 1783 contemplated expansion across the empty continent beyond the ample boundaries set down — S.F.Bemis >2. a. : marked by more than adequate measure in strength, force, scope, effectiveness, or influence
< the light they yielded was more than ample for the purpose — Thomas Hardy > < a government entrusted with such ample powers — John Marshall > b. : marked by more than adequate measure in number or amount
< possessing ample means they entertained generously — C.A.Dinsmore > < supplies were ample for three days — Dorothy Sayers >3. a. : marked by generous plenty or by abundance
: more than adequate
: not scant or niggard
< an ample picnic basket — Dixon Wecter > b. : copious
,
voluminous
,
full
< an ample biography >4. : satisfying wants or desires more than adequately
< ample comfort >5. : buxom
,
portly
< an imposing creature, tall and stout, with an ample bust — W.S.Maugham >Synonyms: spacious
,
capacious
,
commodious
:
ample
always means considerably more than adequate or sufficient. Applied to what can be measured or counted, it suggests size, scope, space, or fullness and contrasts with
scant, sparse, or
narrow < an ample sum — one sufficient to supply those wants of hers — Thomas Hardy > < “Do you want me to miss this train?” But he knew that the margin of time was ample — Arnold Bennett > < the plan, which Julius had designed for a lengthy campaign and ample forces, failed when it was put into execution in a hurry with inadequate troops — John Buchan > Applied to persons' figures it suggests stoutness
< a plump, maternal-looking woman, with an ample figure, which did not conform to the wasp waist of the period — Ellen Glasgow > < genial clergy of ample girth, stuffed with the buttered toast of a refectory tea — S.B.Leacock > In other matters it may indicate unstinted copiousness or generosity
< the work … is of ample proportions. There will be six volumes altogether — Dumas Malone > spacious
stresses great space, area, or scope
< white villas, gray convents, church spires, villages, towns … were scattered upon this spacious map — Nathaniel Hawthorne > < the great chilly unused drawing room whose spacious ceremoniousness seemed to embrace and envelope her — J.C.Powys > In more figurative senses it may suggest breadth, expanse, and freedom from constriction
< in his lordly way — for he always talked, and unfortunately acted, in a spacious manner — Osbert Sitwell > < frequent visits to Europe, with grouse shooting in Scotland and swimming on the Riviera, were part of the spacious life of the wealthy — H.W.Baehr > capacious
suggests ability to hold or contain a great deal, a wealth of freely available space
< a capacious old house with big rooms > It is often used with humorous suggestion
< was very stout … he wore a capacious waistcoat — Samuel Butler > < a man of capacious mind, seeing that he could draw much wider conclusions without evidence than could be expected of his neighbors — George Eliot > commodious
stresses roominess and freedom from constriction, from being limited or pent in
< we passed a large inlet … it appeared to be the entrance to a safe and commodious harbor — C.B.Nordhoff & J.N.Hall > It may have added suggestions of convenience and comfort
< my mother's room is very commodious … large and cheerful looking … the most comfortable apartment in the house — Jane Austen >Synonym: see in addition plentiful
.