Synonyms

multiply

¹ American

[muhl-tuh-plahy] / ˈmʌl təˌplaɪ /

verb (used with object)

multiplied, multiplying

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)

multiplied, multiplying

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.

multiply ² American

[muhl-tuh-plee] / ˈmʌl tə pli /

adverb

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

multiply British

/ ˈmʌltɪˌplaɪ /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

multiply Scientific

/ mŭl′tə-plī′ /

To perform multiplication on a pair of quantities.

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 multiply²

First recorded in 1880–85; multiple + -ly

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.

It was an intense and disorienting time if you were simply a fan of the music; multiply that by approximately a gigaton if you were anywhere adjacent.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

As wars multiply, Pope Leo’s aides aren’t despairing about the possibilities of diplomacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

But Mayor Kate Gallego says the local population is growing tired of seeing data centers multiply in their communities, straining water supplies and a power grid that are already at breaking point.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

It is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which rapidly multiply inside both human hosts and mosquitoes.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

"Was she lying, then," Miss Honey said, "when she told me that nobody taught her to multiply or to read? Did either of you teach her?"

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023