The word "myriad" is often misspelled as "miriad" due to its tricky pronunciation. The correct pronunciation is /ˈmɪriəd/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "d" at the end of the word is silent, causing confusion for some writers. "Myriad" means a countless or immense number, and is commonly used in English language. To avoid spelling errors, it is important to remember the silent "d" and stress on the first syllable when writing this word.
Myriad is an adjective that means "countless" or "innumerable", indicating an extremely large or countless number or variety of things. It is derived from the Greek word "murias" meaning "ten thousand", but its usage has evolved to refer to an uncountable multitude rather than a specific number.
When used in a sentence, myriad emphasizes the vastness or diversity of a particular subject or situation. For instance, one might say, "There are myriad reasons why people enjoy traveling: cultural immersion, adventure, relaxation, and personal growth." In this context, myriad emphasizes the extensive range of motivations individuals have for traveling.
Additionally, myriad can be used as a noun, referring to a great or excessively large number of people or things. For example, "A myriad of stars decorated the night sky," or "She faced a myriad of challenges in her career." Here, the term highlights the abundance or multiplicity of stars or challenges, respectively.
Overall, the word myriad conveys the concept of an immense quantity or variety that is beyond calculation or enumeration. Its versatility allows it to be used across different contexts to describe an overwhelmingly large or diverse number of entities, giving depth and vividness to one's language.
Any immense number; a countless number.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "myriad" has its origin in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "murias" which means "ten thousand". In ancient Greece, "murias" was used to refer to an extremely large number. The Greeks used this term to express a vast, uncountable quantity. Over time, the word "myriad" made its way into the English language, and it has kept a similar meaning to describe an immense or innumerable quantity.