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a lot

[a lot] {n.}, {informal} A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots.

/I learned a lot in Mr. Smith's class./

/A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer./

— Often used like an adverb.

/Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs a lot./

/Grandfather was very sick last week, but he's a lot better now./

/You'll have to study a lot harder if you want to pass./

— Also used as an adjective with "more", "less", and "fewer".

/There was a good crowd at the game today, but a lot more will come next week./

— Often used with "whole" for emphasis.

/John has a whole lot of marbles./

/Jerry is a whole lot taller than he was a year ago./

Compare: GOOD DEAL, GOOD MANY, A NUMBER. Contrast: A FEW, A LITTLE.

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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