SOME

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does some mean? 

• SOME (adjective)
  The adjective SOME has 4 senses:

1. (quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

2. relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent

3. relatively many but unspecified in number

4. remarkable

  Familiarity information: SOME used as an adjective is uncommon.

• SOME (adverb)
  The adverb SOME has 1 sense:

1. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct

  Familiarity information: SOME used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOME (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

Context example:

some paper

Similar:

any; whatever; whatsoever (one or some or every or all without specification)

both ((used with count nouns) two considered together; the two)

several ((used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many)

Also:

many (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'as' or 'too' or 'so' or 'that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number)

few (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'a'; a small but indefinite number)

Antonym:

all ((quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class)

no ((quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns for indicating a complete or almost complete lack or zero quantity of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent

Context example:

he was still some distance away

Similar:

much ((quantifier used with mass nouns) great in quantity or degree or extent)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Relatively many but unspecified in number

Context example:

we did not meet again for some years

Similar:

many (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'as' or 'too' or 'so' or 'that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Remarkable

Context example:

she is some skier

Similar:

extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))

• SOME (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct

Synonyms:

about; approximately; around; close to; just about; more or less; or so; roughly; some

Context example:

20 or so people were at the party

 Context examples 

Some time, if it may be, I must examine this matter and try to make up my mind about it.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Now I’ll ’ave to boil some more.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Knock some of the soot off him, Lord Frederick!” they shouted.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

No longer was this fact borne in upon him in some subtle, mysterious way.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

I must not forget that we went on board the yacht, where they all three descended into the cabin, and were busy with some papers.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Mayn't we come over some day while you are at your sister's? Or, better yet, won't you come over and have dinner with us?"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Yes, sir, there must have been some very strange people with some very strange ways in this house.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was certainly going some, was his internal comment.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Sometimes it is some surer and subtler means.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

'Ouvre,' he cried, 'ouvre,' or some such word, making signs for me to open the gate; and then 'Merci,' as though he were adrad of me.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)