online vocabulary.com

Multiply - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Multiply means to increase in number by adding a quantity to itself repeatedly or to perform the mathematical operation of combining numbers to find their total product.

multiply

/ˈmʌltəˌplaɪ/ /ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/

Definition:

To increase in number by reproducing or combining quantities.

Synonyms:

reproduce, proliferate, expand, augment

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

divide, decrease

Common Collocations:

multiply numbers, multiply rapidly, multiply by two

Derivatives:

multiplication, multiplier, multiplicative

Usage Tips:

Use "multiply" for mathematical operations or rapid growth contexts; avoid confusion with "add" or "divide."

Common Phrases:

multiply like rabbits, multiply the odds, multiply your efforts

Etymology:

From Latin "multiplicare," meaning to increase or make many.

Examples:

  • 1. Rabbits multiply quickly if left unchecked.
  • 2. To find the area, multiply length by width.
  • 3. Bacteria can multiply in warm, moist environments.
  • 4. Her savings began to multiply after careful investing.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS