noun
Common
multi
Multi (noun) means informal short form for anything described as multi- something, most often used loosely as a prefix in casual speech. Example: “I always call the multi-storey car park by the station "the multi" for short.”
noun
1
Informal short form for anything described as multi- something, most often used loosely as a prefix in casual speech.
"I always call the multi-storey car park by the station "the multi" for short."
"Grab the multi from the shelf; it has all the vitamins you need."
"It's basically a multi-tool — hammer, screwdriver, pliers, all in one."
How to use multi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual shorthand referring to something with many parts or uses.
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Word forms
- Plural
- multis, multies
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I always call the _____-storey car park by the station "the multi" for short.
Etymology
A clipped, informal use of the Latin-derived prefix "multi-," meaning "many."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “multi” mean?
The word “multi” means informal short form for anything described as multi- something, most often used loosely as a prefix in casual speech. In plain terms, casual shorthand referring to something with many parts or uses.
How do you use “multi” in a sentence?
Here is “multi” used in a sentence: “It's basically a multi-tool — hammer, screwdriver, pliers, all in one.”
What part of speech is “multi”?
“Multi” is a noun.
Where does the word “multi” come from?
The word “multi” comes from Latin. A clipped, informal use of the Latin-derived prefix "multi-," meaning "many.".
Is “multi” a common word?
“Multi” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the prefix 'multi-' mean?
'Multi-' means 'many' or 'more than one', from the Latin multus. It combines with other words to show multiplicity — multitasking (doing many things), multicoloured (many colours), multimillionaire, and multipurpose. Informally, 'multi' is sometimes clipped off and used on its own to stand in for such a word.
What is an example of 'multi' used informally?
In casual speech, people shorten longer 'multi-' words. A multiple bet might be called 'a multi', and something with many colours or uses might simply be described as 'multi'. This clipped use is informal and context-dependent, relying on the listener to fill in the full 'multi-' word intended.
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