threefold

adjective

three·​fold ˈthrē-ˌfōld  -ˈfōld 

1

: having three parts or members : triple

a threefold purpose

2

: being three times as great or as many

a threefold increase

threefold

ˈthrē-ˈfōld 

adverb

Synonyms

• treble
• triadic
• tripartite
• triple
• triplex

Examples of threefold in a Sentence

a threefold approach to solving the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Their purpose, according to the president, is threefold: to punish Moscow for its intrusion in Ukraine, to deter it from further destabilizing the region, and, ultimately, to persuade it to reverse course and pull out of Ukraine entirely. —Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 June 2014

The new study found that colorectal cancer screening among 45- to 49-year-olds remains low overall but increased threefold following the 2021 guideline change. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

Their main challenge, Binks explains, was threefold. —Tristan Kennedy, WIRED, 7 Oct. 2024

More dramatically, the Haredi population has grown more than threefold over only 20 years, from 3 percent of the population in 1990 to over 10 percent today. —Daniel Levy, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2011

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

threefold

adjective

three·​fold ˈthrē-ˌfōld 

-ˈfōld

1

: having three parts or members

2

: being three times as great or as many

threefold adverb