multiplicity

American  

[muhl-tuh-plis-i-tee] / ˌmʌl təˈplɪs ɪ ti /

noun

multiplicities plural

1. a large number or variety.

   a multiplicity of errors.

2. the state of being multiplex or manifold; manifold variety.

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multiplicity British  

/ ˌmʌltɪˈplɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a large number or great variety

2. the state of being multiple

3. physics

   1. the number of levels into which the energy of an atom, molecule, or nucleus splits as a result of coupling between orbital angular momentum and spin angular momentum

   2. the number of elementary particles in a multiplet

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Usage

What does multiplicity mean? Multiplicity most commonly means a large number or a great variety. It is the noun form of the adjective multiple, meaning more than one or several. It can also mean the state of being multiple. Multiplicity is used in more specific ways in several different scientific fields, but all of them have to do with multiple instances of things. Example: When designing a craft for space travel, you have to consider a multiplicity of issues.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• multiplicities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of multiplicity

1580–90; < Late Latin multiplicitās, equivalent to multiplic- (stem of multiplex ) multiplex + -itās -ity

Explanation

A multiplicity is a lot of something, usually countable and varied. If you're skilled in juggling, tightrope walking, and lion taming, you could call yourself a circus performer with a multiplicity of talents. Having a multiplicity of something is more than just having a lot of it. You may have a big pile of white tube socks, but that wouldn't qualify as a multiplicity. You'd have a multiplicity of socks if you've got not just the white tube socks, but striped knee socks for soccer, black silk socks to wear with your tuxedo, wool hiking socks, low tennis socks with pom-poms on the back, and socks with little pockets for your toes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multiplicity multiplicities

And multiplicity: If you reveal something negative, is it seen with compassion?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

One of my favorite mindsets is the multiplicity mindset.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

Given this multiplicity of supportive factors for the market, rWilson observes investors are looking at the current recovery and asking themselves if the market will give them another opportunity to add risk.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026

Watching these and other documentaries in the course of a few days proved a refreshing, whirlwind reminder of the form’s multiplicity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026

“It is not in my programming to care about having a multiplicity of phrases.”

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Andrade’s fascination with the multiplicities of Brazilian culture placed him at the center of the modernist movements that were sweeping the country in the 1920s.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2023

We know that the multiplicity is likely 3 and that the sum of the multiplicities is likely 6.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 1, 2021

It’s praiseworthy that Disney has hired Mr. Coogler and Ms. DuVernay; Disney understands the audience in all its multiplicities.

From New York Times ● Jan. 3, 2018

For zeros with odd multiplicities, the graphs cross or intersect the x-axis.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

There seems to be no stopping this dissociation of matter into multiplicities short of finding each ultimate entity occupying one individual point.

From The Concept of Nature The Tarner Lectures Delivered in Trinity College, November 1919 by Whitehead, Alfred North

Related Words

• jumble
• profusion