Multiply Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms multiply 1 American [muhl-tuh-plee] / ˈmʌl tə pli /

adverb

1. in several or many ways; in a multiple manner; manifoldly.

multiply 2 American [muhl-tuh-plahy] / ˈmʌl təˌplaɪ /

verb (used with object)

multiplied, multiplying

1. to make many or manifold; increase the number, quantity, etc., of.

2. Arithmetic. to find the product of by multiplication.

3. to breed (animals).

4. to propagate (plants).

5. to increase by procreation.

verb (used without object)

multiplied, multiplying

1. to grow in number, quantity, etc.; increase.

   Synonyms: mushroom, grow, proliferate

2. Arithmetic. to perform the process of multiplication.

3. to increase in number by procreation or natural generation.

multiply British / ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪ /

verb

1. to increase or cause to increase in number, quantity, or degree

2. (tr) to combine (two numbers or quantities) by multiplication

3. (intr) to increase in number by reproduction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 multiply Scientific / mŭl′tə-plī′ /

1. To perform multiplication on a pair of quantities.

Other Word Forms

• multipliable adjective
• self-multiplied adjective
• self-multiplying adjective
• unmultiplied adjective
• unmultiplying adjective

Etymology

Origin of multiply1

First recorded in 1880–85; multiple + -ly

Origin of multiply1

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English multiplien, from Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicāre; multi-, ply 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hanwha, which has deep pockets and extensive shipbuilding know-how, has vowed to plow $5 billion into upgrades and dramatically multiply the workforce.

From The Wall Street Journal

The day-night atmosphere amplified the theatre, the collective will of everyone who wanted Root to finally reach three figures in this country multiplied the tension.

From BBC

As this way of thinking gains influence, the risks multiply.

From The Wall Street Journal

These estimates were multiplied by the number of meals, snacks, and beverages participants said they consumed in a typical day.

From Science Daily

As last year’s wildfires multiplied, still 0% contained, field reporters — tasked with articulating the unintelligible on camera — grieved alongside Los Angeles in real time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accumulate
• augment
• boost
• breed
• build up
• enlarge
• expand
• generate
• heighten
• magnify
• proliferate
• propagate
• spread

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.