some
Adjective · AdverbWordNet 3.0
Adjective (4)
- quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity“have some milk”“some roses were still blooming”“having some friends over”“some apples”“some paper”Synonyms: some(a)
- relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent“we talked for some time”“he was still some distance away”Synonyms: some(a)
- relatively many but unspecified in number“they were here for some weeks”“we did not meet again for some years”Synonyms: some(a)
- remarkable“that was some party”“she is some skier”
Adverb (1)
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct“lasted approximately an hour”“in just about a minute”“he's about 30 years old”“I've had about all I can stand”“we meet about once a month”“some forty people came”“weighs around a hundred pounds”“roughly $3,000”“holds 3 gallons, more or less”“20 or so people were at the party”Synonyms: approximatelyaboutclose tojust aboutroughlymore or lessaroundor so
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number which is not stated; -- used to express an indefinite quantity or number; as, some wine; some water; some persons. Used also pronominally; as, I have some. [1913 Webster]
Some theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society.— Blackstone.[1913 Webster]
2.A certain; one; -- indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man. "Some brighter clime." --Mrs. Barbauld. [1913 Webster]
Some man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament.— Blackstone.[1913 Webster]
3.Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just. [1913 Webster]
4.About; near; more or less; -- used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some hour hence. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The number slain on the rebel's part were some two thousand.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
5.Considerable in number or quantity. "Bore us some leagues to sea." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
On its outer point, some miles away. The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.— Longfellow.[1913 Webster]
6.Certain; those of one part or portion; -- in distinction from other or others; as, some men believe one thing, and others another. [1913 Webster]
Some [seeds] fell among thorns; . . . but other fell into good ground.— Matt. xiii. 7, 8.[1913 Webster]
7.A part; a portion; -- used pronominally, and followed sometimes by of; as, some of our provisions. [1913 Webster]
Your edicts some reclaim from sins, But most your life and blest example wins.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
All and some, one and all. See under All, adv. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Note: The illiterate in the United States and Scotland often use some as an adverb, instead of somewhat, or an equivalent expression; as, I am some tired; he is some better; it rains some, etc. [1913 Webster]
Some . . . some, one part . . . another part; these . . . those; -- used distributively. [1913 Webster]
Some to the shores do fly, Some to the woods, or whither fear advised.— Daniel.[1913 Webster]
Note: Formerly used also of single persons or things: this one . . . that one; one . . . another. [1913 Webster]
Some in his bed, some in the deep sea.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]