1.Determinerbefore a countable noun: A large, indefinite number of.
"Not many such people enjoyed playing chess.; There are very many different ways to cook a meal.; We spent many hours and days training, but running clubs boast many hundreds of faster members."
2.Determinerbefore a countable noun: Used to indicate, demonstrate or compare the number of people or things.
"We don't need this many bananas. Put some back.; There may be as many as ten million species of insect.; I don't have as many friends as my sister does."
3.PronounA large, indefinite number of people or things.
"Many are called, but few are chosen."
4.NounA multitude; a great aggregate; a mass of people; the generality; the common herd.
"Democracy must balance the rights of the few against the will of the many."