Multiply
/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo increase or cause to increase in number or quantity; to produce by multiplying (a number or quantity).
/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/
To increase in number or amount
If you multiply 4 by 5, you get 20.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a bunch of cookies. If you 'multiply' them, you are adding more cookies – maybe by baking more or sharing them with friends, so you end up with a bigger pile!
👶 For kids: Making something bigger by adding the same amount over and over, like when you add groups of toys together.
More Examples
The bacteria will quickly multiply in this environment.
The company hopes to multiply its sales through online advertising.
How It's Used
"Two multiplied by three equals six."
"The company aims to multiply its profits this year."
To combine a quantity repeatedly with itself a certain number of times.
/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/
To combine (a quantity) repeatedly with itself a specified number of times.
If you multiply 3 by itself four times, you get 81.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a cookie and you get another one, and then another one and you keep repeating that process several times, that is multiplying
👶 For kids: Adding a number to itself a bunch of times. Like 2 + 2 + 2 = 6, you're multiplying 2 by 3
More Examples
The program will multiply each number by the same value.
The computer is capable of quickly multiplying large numbers.
How It's Used
"To multiply a number by itself means to square it."
From Middle English *multiplien*, from Old French *multiplier*, from Latin *multiplicāre* 'to increase, to multiply', from *multiplex* 'manifold, having many folds', from *multus* 'much' + *plicāre* 'to fold'.
The term has been used in mathematical contexts since the late 14th century, and the broader sense of increasing or enlarging has been in use since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a plant 'multiplying' through its seeds – it grows more plants.
Word Origin
"manifold, having many folds"