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
Derived Forms
-
multipliableadjective
-
self-multipliedadjective
-
self-multiplyingadjective
-
unmultipliedadjective
-
unmultiplyingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
multiplysimple
-
multipliessimple
-
have multipliedperfect
-
has multipliedperfect
-
am multiplyingprogressive
-
are multiplyingprogressive
-
is multiplyingprogressive
-
have been multiplyingperfect progressive
-
has been multiplyingperfect progressive
Past
-
multipliedsimple
-
had multipliedperfect
-
was multiplyingprogressive
-
were multiplyingprogressive
-
had been multiplyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of multiply1
First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English multiplien, from Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicāre; see multi-, ply 2
Origin of multiply2
Explanation
When you multiply two numbers, you increase the first by the same number that's specified by the second. In other words, when you multiply two by three, you add together three twos. When you're doing simple math problems, you can multiply by memorizing lists of times tables — or you can add one number as many times as the second number: four times two is the same as two fours, or eight. Another way to multiply is simply to increase or expand greatly: "If the diner starts serving homemade pie, their profits will multiply." The Latin root is multiplicare, "to increase," from multiplex, "having many folds."
Vocabulary lists containing multiply
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Number and Operations: Fractions
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Those earnings are expected to multiply 10 times over two years through August 2027 amid shortages and fierce demand from artificial-intelligence data centers.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
“We start to draw conclusions,” says Sammut, “whether that’s a golden pattern we want to multiply across their peers or whether it’s an anti-pattern that we want to coach our way out of.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
They tend to multiply in the lower respiratory tract, and in their usual hosts, such as ducks and seagulls, they often infect the gut.
From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2025
These products offer traders the ability to multiply earnings on daily price swings, but they also risk taking heavy losses if the underlying asset swings too far in the wrong direction.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 21, 2025
She’d asked Wes about the shoes when they started to multiply, but after her first inquisition, she’d left the subject alone.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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.
