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

plural

multis

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-.

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

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

Davis’s protagonists are gray-skinned “Frocasions,” multi- or post-racial people partly inspired by her interracial marriage.

From Washington Post • Feb. 11, 2022

“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

As a multi- threaded performance, this concert enables its listeners to select from among the many simultaneously performing groups.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai