Words / B1

m-uh-JOR-uh-tee/məˈdʒɒrəti/

The majority is more than half: the majority of students; a clear majority; a majority vote. Most is the everyday twin; minority is the opposite. Majority is usually followed by of + plural noun, and the verb often agrees with that noun (the majority of staff are…). An absolute majority means more than 50% of everyone who could vote. Do not write “majority people” — you need of.

Meaning

Most of the people or things in a group (the majority of).

Examples

• “The majority of staff voted to accept the new shift pattern.”
• “The majority of commuters now buy tickets on an app.”
• “A majority in the council voted against the late-night supermarket.”

Good to know

the majority of + plural. Everyday: most. Opposite: minority. Phrase: a majority vote. Not “majority people”.

Near in meaning

most

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