lot
noun (countable)
UK/lɒt/US/lɑːt/
Fate or destiny, especially as determined by chance.
Example Sentences
He accepted his lot in life with grace.
Her lot was to become a teacher.
They believed it was their lot to help others.
He felt burdened by his lot in the world.
Each person's lot is different and unique.
She was content with her lot in life.
He struggled with his lot and sought change.
Their lot in life was determined by their circumstances.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/lɒt/US/lɑːt/
To distribute or apportion by lot; to divide into portions randomly.
Example Sentences
They decided to lot the chores among the team members.
The land was lotted to various buyers at the auction.
The responsibility was lotted to different departments.
They lotted out the available slots to participants.
The prize money was lotted fairly among the winners.
They used a random method to lot the tasks.
The seats were lotted to ensure equal opportunity.
The authorities lotted the resources based on need.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Refers to a large amount or a parcel of land.“Lot” can function in multiple ways. First, it may represent a substantial amount or quantity, as in “I have a lot of work to do,” emphasizing that the workload is significant. This usage is common in informal and formal contexts alike, from chatting about everyday tasks (“I drank a lot of water today”) to summarizing statistics (“A lot of students submitted their assignments early”). When using it in a sentence, you can precede “lot” with articles (e.g., “a lot,” “the lot”) or pair it with quantifiers or pronouns (e.g., “a lot of us,” “a lot of them”).Second, “lot” may denote a piece of land assigned or designated for a particular purpose—“They bought a vacant lot to build on.” Real-estate listings or property discussions often rely on this meaning, highlighting that a “lot” is a defined area. In that context, you might see phrases like “parking lot,” describing a space allocated for vehicles, or “vacant lot,” referencing an unused property awaiting construction. Beyond these, “lot” shows up in idioms such as “draw lots,” referencing a method of making choices at random, or “cast one’s lot with someone,” meaning to choose a side or share another’s fate. Whether you’re highlighting a large number, referencing a segment of land, or employing idiomatic expressions, “lot” conveys abundance or allocation in a straightforward, widely understood manner. Use it to stress a surfeit of something, describe real estate, or underscore your alignment with a particular group or person.
Alternatives
If you’re discussing quantity, synonyms include “plenty,” “a great deal,” “a large amount,” or “a slew.” These terms emphasize abundance in both formal and casual contexts—though “a slew” leans more informal, while “a large amount” fits academic or business usage. If you want to sound more precise or formal, “significant amount” or “substantial quantity” may do.Regarding property, “plot,” “parcel,” or “tract” can stand in for “lot” when you want to emphasize ownership or the physical land itself (e.g., “They purchased a plot of land in the countryside”). If you’re replacing an idiomatic “lot,” you might need different phrases altogether—“We drew straws” parallels “We drew lots,” while “I’ve made my choice” replaces “I’ve cast my lot.” Synonym choice depends on audience and intent: go more formal for reports, a bit more casual for everyday exchanges, or pick an alternative idiom if you’re trying to avoid repetition. Mixing synonyms is also helpful when writing a longer piece, so you don’t rely on “lot” alone for every instance of abundance or a piece of land.
Writing
In writing, “lot” often appears when you want to indicate plenty or numerous items: “There’s a lot to consider in this proposal.” While it’s perfectly acceptable in most contexts, be mindful of register. If you’re drafting an academic paper or formal business report, you might choose “a large number,” “many,” or “numerous” to sound more precise. Overusing “lot” can feel repetitive and informal, so vary your language as needed. When “lot” refers to land, specifying location or purpose helps readers contextualize. For instance, “They purchased a vacant lot downtown” clarifies exactly what was bought and where. If you’re writing a real-estate brochure, details such as dimensions, zoning, or potential use matter—“This corner lot offers 2,500 square feet, zoned for residential development.” You might also encounter “lot” in idioms or smaller phrases within more creative works—perhaps describing how characters “drew lots” to make a fair decision. If so, ensure readers understand the reference, either through context or explanatory hints. Additionally, be watchful of phrases like “a lot of” in a row—they can clutter your prose: “There are a lot of people who do a lot of interesting things.” Tightening or varying word choice will give your writing polish and clarity. Think of “lot” as a straightforward building block: effective in capturing abundance or designated space, yet best mixed with synonyms and specificity for well-rounded writing.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “lot” is one of the most common go-to words for quantity. You might say, “I have a lot to do today,” or “We had a lot of fun at the concert,” conveying a big load of work or a highly enjoyable time. If you’re telling friends about a big project, “There’s a lot involved” smoothly covers that it’s complex without getting technical. People often toss around “lot” to emphasize extremes: “That’s a whole lot of trouble!” or “It’s a lot colder than I thought.” In friendly banter, you might hear “Thanks a lot!” used both sincerely or sarcastically, depending on tone. Meanwhile, “parking lot” or “empty lot” might pop up in quick directions—“I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” For daily chat, “a lot” is wonderfully flexible but easily overused. If you find yourself saying it repeatedly—“I have a lot of stuff, and there are a lot of people I need to contact…”—you can sprinkle in synonyms like “plenty” or “a bunch.” Everyone will still grasp your meaning, but it keeps things fresh. Similarly, “a vacant lot” is standard for describing land with nothing built on it, or you might simply say, “We’re building on a lot near the highway.” Overall, “lot” slides seamlessly into conversation about tasks, fun, or property, letting you sound casual and direct without fuss.
Etymology
The English word “lot” can be traced back to Old English “hlot,” which meant an object (like a piece of wood or stone) used in casting or drawing lots for making decisions by chance. Early Germanic communities often relied on these small tokens to determine fate or settle disputes, and “lot” grew to symbolize both the random selection process and the outcome itself. Over time, usage broadened to denote a share or portion of anything—the assigned “lot” someone received.During the medieval period and into the Renaissance, “lot” gained the connotation of a person’s allotted portion in life, such as destiny or fortune. Eventually, the concept spilled over into referencing a parcel of land—someone’s “lot” was literally their allocated piece of property. By the modern era, “lot” had also evolved to express abundance—a large quantity or number—an extension from the idea of receiving a generous share. In contemporary English, the word remains multifaceted, covering everything from chance-based decisions (“draw lots”) to real estate (“parking lot,” “empty lot”) and everyday talk (“a lot of food”). Although the random selection meaning is less prevalent outside idiomatic uses, the sense of allocation or portion remains. Coupled with its shift into describing large quantities, “lot” continues to serve as a concise term capturing both physical land and intangible aspects of share or fortune, linking ancient decision-making customs to modern contexts in property, quantity, and expression.
