multiple

The word “multiple” means more than one; several. In plain terms, involving more than one of something, or (in maths) a number produced by multiplying.

“Multiple” is pronounced MUHL-tih-puhl (/ˈmʌltɪpəl/ in IPA).

Here is “multiple” used in a sentence: “She was treated for multiple injuries after the crash.”

Words with a similar meaning to “multiple” include manifold, many, morefold, several and plural.

The opposite of “multiple” — its antonyms — is paucal.

Depending on how it is used, “multiple” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “multiple” comes from Late Latin. From French multiple, from Late Latin multiplus.

“Multiple” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

'Multiple' simply means more than one — two or more, with no upper sense. 'Several' means more than two or three but not many, an indefinite middle amount. So 'multiple attempts' could be just two, while 'several attempts' suggests a handful. Multiple stresses plurality; several hints at a moderate number.

Strictly, multiple means any number greater than one, so two already qualifies. In everyday use, though, people often reach for it when they mean a fair few, not merely two. The word states only that more than one is involved, without fixing exactly how many.

The opposite is single — just one of something. Words like 'sole,' 'individual,' 'lone,' and 'solitary' also stand against it, each stressing oneness. Where 'multiple' points to two or more, these point to a single instance standing on its own, with nothing else alongside it.

Yes. In mathematics, a multiple is a number you get by multiplying one number by a whole number — 12 is a multiple of 3. The word also appears as a noun in finance and film ('a multiple of earnings'). As an adjective, though, it just means more than one.