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

So use a multiplicity lens when you’re talking to someone, and use it on yourself.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

Looking beyond the current dynamics caused by the effective closure by Iran of the Strait of Hormuz, the more lasting trend of supply/demand imbalance is owing to a multiplicity of factors.

From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026

That’s no small attraction, though, for the multiplicity of hues—cerulean, lilac, coral, seafoam, sienna—are hypnotically rendered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026

Taub believes that organizers need a multiplicity of tactics to effect change.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2025

“I prefer to be called William Spiver. It distinguishes me from the multiplicity of Williams in the world.”

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo

You can argue about multiplicities of meanings, but the ear won’t have it both ways.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2023

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 even multiplicities, the graphs touch or are tangent to the x-axis.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

TRY IT #2 Use the graph of the function of degree 9 in Figure 10 to identify the zeros of the function and their multiplicities.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

This comparison is viewed as a facing of the multiplicities they both present.

From Humanistic Nursing by Josephine G. Paterson

Related Words

• jumble
• profusion