Jump To:

• multi
  multi

  noun

  a pattern of several colors or hues, usually in stripes.
• multi-
  multi-

  a combining form meaning “many,” “much,” “multiple,” “many times,” “more than one,” “more than two,” “composed of many like parts,” “in many respects,” used in the formation of compound words.
• multi–
  multi–

  A prefix that means “many” or “much,” as in multicellular, having many cells.

multi

¹ American  

[muhl-tee, -tahy] / ˈmʌl ti, -taɪ /

noun

• multis
  plural

1. a pattern of several colors or hues, usually in stripes.

   This dress comes in pink or green multi.

---

adjective

1. multicolored.

multi- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “many,” “much,” “multiple,” “many times,” “more than one,” “more than two,” “composed of many like parts,” “in many respects,” used in the formation of compound words.

   multiply; multivitamin.

---

multi- British  

combining form

1. many or much

   multiflorous

   multimillion

2. more than one

   multiparous

   multistorey

---

multi– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means “many” or “much,” as in multicellular, having many cells.

---

Usage

What does multi- mean? Multi- is a combining form used like a prefix with a variety of meanings, including “many; much; multiple.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms. Multi- comes from Latin multus, meaning “much” and “many.” The Greek equivalent of multus is polýs, also meaning both “much” and “many,” which is the source of the combining form poly-. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article about poly-. What are variants of multi-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, multi- becomes mult-, as in multangular, from Latin multangulus. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about mult-.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• multis
  plural

Etymology

Origin of multi¹

By shortening of multicolor or multicolored

Origin of multi-²

Middle English < Latin, combining form of multus much, many

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multi multi- multis

Cavanagh said he wanted to look at extreme power and wealth in America the influence of multi billionaires.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the multi award-winning and critically acclaimed BBC sitcom was set at Slough paper merchant Wernham-Hogg.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

It could also support new quantum communication protocols, the transfer of multi photon entangled states, and new approaches to measurement based quantum computing.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

So, these multi, multimillion-dollar judgments against the district need to be satisfied, and without the judgment-obligation bonds, we would have to use general fund as cash to satisfy them,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2026

Then he gives you the object of the wishes of the youths and maidens, the multi pueri multæ optaveræ puellæ.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847 by Various

“In an eventual post-crisis world, a multi- polar environment lends itself to a much more gold-positive one. Additionally, many of the undercurrents that drove gold prices higher remain intact, albeit on pause,” he added.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

Mid-cap funds also received $153 million, but multi- and small-cap funds saw net selling worth $1.53 billion and $405 million, respectively.

From Reuters ● Sep. 15, 2023

“Today, we’re living in a multi- and trans-disciplinary universe made up of connecting links, so the old labels don’t really make sense anymore,” she added.

From New York Times ● Jan. 28, 2022

The celebrations typically conclude with a multi- or single-day lantern festival.

From Fox News ● Jan. 27, 2022

Poly-, in compound words of Greek origin, same as multi- in those of Latin origin viz. many, as Polyadelphous, stamens united by their filaments into several bundles, 100.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Asa Gray

I advise avoiding gummy multivitamin/mineral supplements, as they contain fewer nutrients and degrade much faster than “regular” multis.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2022

Compare Cic Fam IV iii 2 'a multis et magnis molestiis abes'; I have found no parallel from verse.

From The Last Poems of Ovid by Mark Bear Akrigg

There is a fashion of eulogy, as well as of vituperation, and, though the Lottery stood for some time in the latter predicament, we hesitate not to assert that "multis ille bonis flebilis occidit."

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 84, October, 1864 by Various

The contrary effects of Swift's song, "Here we go up, up, up," and the smile-provoking melody of "Hey diddle, diddle," cum multis aliis, are too well known to be enumerated or disputed.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 386, August 22, 1829 by Various

My dearly loved Friend,—I have received your note, non sine multis lachrymis, and though I am too weak to write or answer myself, I must dictate a few words of thankfulness to it.

From Memoirs of James Robert Hope-Scott, Volume 2 by Robert Ornsby