multiply
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make many or manifold; increase the number, quantity, etc., of.
-
Arithmetic. to find the product of by multiplication.
-
to breed (animals).
-
to propagate (plants).
-
to increase by procreation.
verb (used without object)
-
to grow in number, quantity, etc.; increase.
- Synonyms:
- mushroom, grow, proliferate
-
Arithmetic. to perform the process of multiplication.
-
to increase in number by procreation or natural generation.
adverb
verb
-
to increase or cause to increase in number, quantity, or degree
-
(tr) to combine (two numbers or quantities) by multiplication
-
(intr) to increase in number by reproduction
Other Word Forms
- multipliable adjective
- self-multiplied adjective
- self-multiplying adjective
- unmultiplied adjective
- unmultiplying adjective
Etymology
Origin of multiply1
First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English multiplien, from Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicāre; multi-, ply 2
Origin of multiply1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Between 2010 and 2020, the county’s hospices have multiplied sixfold, accounting for more than half of the state’s roughly 1,200 Medicare-certified providers, according to a Times analysis of federal healthcare data.
From Los Angeles Times
Complaints from the victims, and by the families of those trapped in the compounds multiplied on social media.
From BBC
Colorectal cancer cells grown on stiffer surfaces multiplied more quickly and increased rigidity further.
From Science Daily
The sale of software, services and maintenance, and the various supply chains could multiply these figures.
Now multiply similar rebalancing considerations across other financial institutions—inside and outside Japan—as well as nonfinancial companies and households.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
