multiply

¹

[muhl-tuh-plahy]

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

²

[muhl-tuh-plee]

adverb

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

multiply

/ 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

multiply

1. To perform multiplication on a pair of quantities.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiply¹

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

Origin of multiply²

First recorded in 1880–85; multiple + -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiply¹

C13: from Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicāre to multiply, from multus much, many + plicāre to fold

Example Sentences

“Now, through carbon finance, we have found a way to really multiply that effort,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Getting” Gen Z has also been complicated by the death of monoculture, the speed at which youth trends come and go, and the multiplying media channels where brands are now expected to participate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Online sales of evacuation kits multiplied, stores set up displays of survival gear and influencers dropped videos showing what to include.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As deployments multiply across the country, experts said they were watching what the appellate division and ultimately the Supreme Court will decide.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Refusal can be powerful, allies are sometimes found in surprising places, and small actions have a tendency to multiply.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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