multiply

1 of 3

verb

mul·​ti·​ply ˈməl-tə-ˌplī 

multiplied; multiplying

transitive verb

1

: to increase in number especially greatly or in multiples : augment

2

a

: to find the product of by multiplication

multiply 7 and 8

b

: to use as a multiplicand in multiplication with another number

multiply 7 by 8

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become greater in number : spread

b

: breed, propagate

2

: to perform multiplication

multiply

2 of 3

adverb

mul·​ti·​ply ˈməl-tə-plē 

: in a multiple manner : in several ways

multiply talented children

multi-ply

3 of 3

adjective

mul·​ti-ply ˌməl-tē-ˈplī 

-ˌtī-

: composed of several plies

Synonyms

Verb

• breed
• procreate
• propagate
• reproduce

Choose the Right Synonym for multiply

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of multiply in a Sentence

Verb

Complaints about the new procedure soon multiplied.

Her responsibilities multiplied when she was promoted.

Her responsibilities were multiplied by the promotion.

The bacteria multiply rapidly in warm, moist conditions.

The teacher taught the children how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Also Read All Things Go, Sudden Little Thrills Reveal Festival Lineups California (Desert) Dreamin’ Thanks in part to Coachella becoming too expensive and impractical over the last few years, the Los Angeles-area festivals have multiplied, becoming hyper genre-fied in the process. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024

As the blocks multiplied, a crew of Colby College student athletes sprang into action, pulling them from the pond, pushing them to shore and swiftly loading them into waiting trucks. —Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English multiplien, from Anglo-French multiplier, from Latin multiplicare, from multiplic-, multiplex multiple

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adverb

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing multiply

• cross multiply

Kids Definition

multiply

verb

mul·​ti·​ply

ˈməl-tə-ˌplī

multiplied; multiplying

1

a

: to increase in number : make or become more numerous

b

: to produce offspring : breed

rabbits multiply rapidly

2

a

: to use in finding a product by multiplication

multiply 7 and 8

multiply 7 by 8

b

: to perform multiplication

first divide and then multiply