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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Describe a generous supply of good things, from food and jobs to knowledge.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode traces “cornucopia” to the image of a horn overflowing with harvest food, then uses the word for a plentiful supply of good things.
Cultural note: The cornucopia is a familiar harvest and Thanksgiving symbol in the United States. In modern English, the word is often figurative and can describe many kinds of abundance, not just food.
Keep exploringA table, a library, or a career fair can each offer plenty of something good. Learn a vivid word for abundance—and when simpler alternatives sound more natural.
Phrase guide · 6 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Use “cornucopia” for a rich range or abundance of something.
Meaning
A large and varied supply of something good.
Tone & use
Often followed by “of” plus a plural noun or an uncountable noun. It is more vivid and somewhat more formal than “a lot of.”
Example
“The neighborhood festival offered a cornucopia of music, food, and activities.”
Meaning
A place with abundant resources or opportunities.
Tone & use
Can refer to food, money, or other resources; sometimes used ironically when abundance is unevenly shared.
Example
“The valley’s fertile soil made it a land of plenty for local farmers.”
Meaning
So plentiful that it seems impossible to use up.
Tone & use
A more formal adjective; it can be literal or an exaggeration for something that feels endlessly available.
Example
“The archive is an almost inexhaustible source of local history.”
Choose “plenty,” “abundance,” “wealth,” or “bounty” for the context.
Meaning
A large quantity or plentiful supply.
Tone & use
A clear everyday alternative to “cornucopia,” especially for food or resources.
Example
“The guide offered an abundance of practical advice for first-time visitors.”
Meaning
A generous or plentiful supply, especially something beneficial or welcome.
Tone & use
Often has a warm or celebratory tone, particularly for harvests, nature, or gifts.
Example
“After the rainy spring, the garden produced a bounty of tomatoes.”
Connect the word to the traditional horn-of-plenty symbol.
Meaning
A traditional horn-shaped container overflowing with harvest foods; a symbol of abundance.
Tone & use
Usually refers to the image or symbol itself, not every plentiful situation.
Example
“The harvest display included a horn of plenty filled with apples and squash.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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