threefold

[ three-fohld ]

adjective

1. comprising three parts, members, or aspects; triple:

   a threefold program.

2. three times as great or as much; treble:

   a threefold return on an investment.

adverb

1. in threefold manner or measure; trebly.

threefold

/ ˈθriːˌfəʊld /

adjective

1. equal to or having three times as many or as much; triple

   a threefold decrease

2. composed of three parts

   a threefold purpose

adverb

1. by or up to three times as many or as much

Word History and Origins

Origin of threefold¹

before 1000; Middle English threfold, Old English thrīfeald. See three, -fold

Example Sentences

As moves crept further into triple digits, Carlsen started checking his scoresheet, wanting to avoid the threefold repetitions of position that would be declared a draw, and instead pursue victory, however long it took.

From FiveThirtyEight

In the past three decades, the number of tree-planting organizations has skyrocketed, growing nearly threefold in the tropics alone.

From Vox

In coming years, the living world will be far outweighed—threefold by 2040, they say, if current trends hold.

From Singularity Hub 

Each level of the tower is an exact threefold covering of the level below it.

From Quanta Magazine

Since 2001, the cost to sequence a whole human genome has plummeted exponentially, outpacing Moore’s Law threefold.

From Singularity Hub 

Between January 31, 1981, and January 31, 1989, the debt rose to $2.697 trillion—a threefold increase, or $1.763 trillion.

From The Daily Beast

Since adding the Special Club category to the wine list, Champagne sales at Mas have increased threefold.

From The Daily Beast

Symbolically speaking, the judge said, the need for an unprecedented sentence for the biggest financial crime ever was threefold.

From The Daily Beast

To this consciousness he assigned a threefold content, power, will and knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

The influence of the seventeenth century salon was of a threefold nature—literary, moral, and social.

From Project Gutenberg

It is of a threefold character, as we regard its natural condition and the quality of the air.

From Project Gutenberg

As in the case of the recipients of full citizenship, so here we may make a threefold division.

From Project Gutenberg

I understood what love in despair may be when it is the threefold passion of the heart, the mind, and the senses.

From Project Gutenberg