so much

I. adverb

Etymology: Middle English so muche (adverb phrase), from so (I) + muche, adverb, much

: by the amount indicated or suggested

if they lose their way, so much the better for us

II. adjective

Etymology: Middle English so muche (adjective phrase) such a quantity of, from so (I) + muche, adjective, much

1. : of an equal amount — often used as an intensive

the house burned like so much paper

2. : of an unspecified amount — often used as an intensive

the common notion of a classic or romantic literature is so much nonsense — Irving Kolodin

III. pronoun

Etymology: Middle English so muche, from so muche (adjective phrase)

1. : something (as an amount or price) unspecified or undetermined

charge so much a mile

2. : that is all that can be or is to be said or done now

so much for the history of the case

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so much

1. Such-and-such an amount

2. In such a degree

3. To such an extent

4. Such an amount (of)

5. That amount of

6. An equal amount

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Main Entry: ↑so

* * *

so much

— used for emphasis

The house burned like so much paper. [=it burned as if it were made of paper]

The explanation sounded like so much nonsense. [=it sounded like a lot of nonsense]

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Main Entry: ↑much

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so much — see ↑so, 1

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Main Entry: ↑much

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so much

: an amount, price, etc., that is not stated or known

You are charged so much a mile when renting a vehicle.

You can only believe so much of what he says. [=you can only believe some of what he says]

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Main Entry: ↑so