good many

good many or great many  {n.} or  {adj.}

A large number (of); very many. Used with "a".

We found some fall flowers, but the frost had already killed a good many.

A great many of the houses were knocked down by the earthquake.

Tom has a good many friends at school.

Mary has a great many ideas for interesting programs.

Syn.: QUITE A FEW. Compare: A LOT, ANY NUMBER, GOOD DEAL. Contrast: A FEW.