Meerdere

Meerdere is a Dutch determiner and adjective meaning “several” or “more than one,” used to indicate an unspecified but nontrivial quantity. It precedes a plural noun and signals a quantity larger than one without specifying an exact number. Examples include multiple options, several people, or several times. The nuance is generally broader than “enkele” (a few) and often implies a number that is not precisely known but is more than a couple.

In mathematical language, the term most commonly used for a product of an integer is veelvoud, meaning “multiple.” For example, twee is een veelvoud van twee. Thus, while meedere can describe general quantities, it is not the standard term for mathematical multiples.

Grammar and nuance: Meerdere functions as a determiner/adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies (meerdere mensen, meerdere opties). It tends to be neutral and versatile, suitable for both informal and formal contexts. Synonyms include verschillende and talrijke, though each carries a slightly different nuance: verschillende emphasizes variety, while meerdere emphasizes the amount.

Usage notes: Meerdere appears frequently in everyday Dutch and in written prose. It is commonly paired with nouns referring to countable items or events (meerdere factoren, meerdere landen, meerdere keren). For precise mathematical discussion, prefer veelvoud.

See also: enkele, verschillende, veelvoud, talrijk. Etymology: derived from the base word meer (more) with a productive modifier, shaping its meaning as “more, a number of.”