multiverse

American  

[muhl-ti-vurs] / ˈmʌl tɪˌvɜrs /

noun

1. Physics. (in cosmology) a hypothetical collection of identical or diverse universes, including our own.

   It is impossible to know how many universes could exist in the multiverse.

2. a collection of linked fictional settings composed of multiple alternate dimensions, different timelines, etc..

   The video game is overall a more accurate representation of the franchise's multiverse than its card counterpart.

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multiverse British  

/ ˈmʌltɪˌvɜːs /

noun

1. astronomy the aggregate of all existing matter, of which the universe is but a tiny fragment

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multiverse Scientific  

/ mŭl′tə-vûrs′ /

1. The collection of parallel universes that comprise all of reality in some quantum mechanical and cosmological theories.

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Etymology

Origin of multiverse

Coined by William James in 1895 in the sense “the universe imagined as lacking order, unity, or a single ruling and guiding power”; multi- + (uni)verse

Explanation

The term multiverse is used in both physics and fiction: It refers to a theoretical collection of universes that may exist alongside our own, though we cannot experience the other universes directly. While the actual existence of a multiverse hasn't been proven, it remains an intriguing idea that suggests that our universe might be just one small bubble in a much larger reality. The term swaps the uni- prefix (meaning "one") of the word universe with multi- (meaning "many"). The concept of a multiverse is not limited to theoretical physics. It's also a storytelling device used in video games, movies, and books to explore alternate "what if" scenarios.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

multiverse

Many critics have welcomed the film-makers' decision to scale back from the multiverse seen in No Way Home, in favour of a more personal, character-centred story.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

Thankfully, the multiverse conceit and cast aligned and “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” was born.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Characters from both soaps will come face-to-face for the first time in the one-off Corriedale, which executive producer Iain Macleod jokes is "like the Marvel multiverse assembling".

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2026

Scrolling through the Sora app can feel a bit like entering a real-life multiverse.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2025

According to multiverse theory, every version of our past and future histories exists, just in an alternate universe.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon