(dozens)
<i>Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.i>
<i>Note: The plural form is 'dozen' after a number, or after a word or expression referring to a number, such as 'several' or 'a few'.i>
1.
If you have a dozen things, you have twelve of them.
You will be able to take ten dozen bottles free of duty through customs...
His chicken eggs sell for $22 a dozen.
<i><i>NUMi>: <i>usui> i>a<i>/<i>numi> <i>NUMi>i>
2.
You can refer to a group of approximately twelve things or people as a dozen. You can refer to a group of approximately six things or people as half a dozen.
In half a dozen words, he had explained the bond that linked them...
The riot left four people dead and several dozen injured.
<i><i>NUMi>: <i>usui> i>a<i>/<i>numi> <i>NUMi>i>
3.
If you refer to dozens of things or people, you are emphasizing that there are very many of them.
...a storm which destroyed dozens of homes and buildings.
<i><i>QUANTi>: <i>QUANTi> i>of<i> <i>pl-ni>i> [emphasis]
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You can also use dozens as a pronoun.
Just as revealing are Mr Johnson's portraits, of which there are dozens.
<i><i>PRONi>i>