proliferation
pruh-lihf-uh-RAY-shuhn
Proliferation (noun) means a rapid increase in the number or spread of something. Example: “The proliferation of smartphones changed how people access news.”
noun
1
A rapid increase in the number or spread of something.
"The proliferation of smartphones changed how people access news."
"Officials worry about the proliferation of nuclear weapons among unstable states."
"After the wet spring, there was a proliferation of weeds across the allotment."
How to use proliferation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fast, often unchecked, spread or increase in number.
Common pairings
nuclear proliferation
rapid proliferation
cell proliferation
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Word forms
- Plural
- proliferations
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The _____ of smartphones changed how people access news.
Etymology
From French prolifération, ultimately related to Latin roots meaning "to bear offspring" — the biological sense of cells multiplying came first, then it broadened to any rapid spread.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonproliferation
Related words
Rhymes for proliferation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for proliferation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “proliferation” mean?
The word “proliferation” means a rapid increase in the number or spread of something. In plain terms, a fast, often unchecked, spread or increase in number.
How do you pronounce “proliferation”?
“Proliferation” is pronounced pruh-lihf-uh-RAY-shuhn (/pɹəˌlɪf.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “proliferation” in a sentence?
Here is “proliferation” used in a sentence: “The proliferation of smartphones changed how people access news.”
What part of speech is “proliferation”?
“Proliferation” is a noun.
Where does the word “proliferation” come from?
The word “proliferation” comes from Latin. From French prolifération, ultimately related to Latin roots meaning "to bear offspring" — the biological sense of cells multiplying came first, then it broadened to any rapid spread.
Is “proliferation” a common word?
“Proliferation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between proliferation and increase?
Increase simply means a rise in amount or number, while proliferation specifically implies a rapid, often uncontrolled spread or multiplication, such as the proliferation of social media apps. Proliferation carries a stronger sense of speed and spread than a general increase.
Is proliferation usually used in a positive or negative sense?
Proliferation is often neutral or negative, commonly appearing in contexts like nuclear proliferation or the proliferation of misinformation, where rapid spread is viewed as concerning. It can be neutral or positive too, such as the proliferation of new technologies, depending on context.
What kinds of things commonly experience proliferation?
Proliferation frequently describes weapons, diseases, information, technology, and species, referring to a rapid increase in number or spread within a relatively short time frame.
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