adjective
Common
triple
TRIHP-uhl
Triple (adjective) means Made up of three parts, or three times the usual amount. Example: “The recipe calls for a triple layer of sponge with cream between each.”
adjective
1
Made up of three parts, or three times the usual amount.
"The recipe calls for a triple layer of sponge with cream between each."
"The gymnast landed a triple somersault."
"They offered a triple discount for early sign-ups."
verb
1
To multiply something by three, or to become three times as large.
"If this trend continues, the number of visitors could triple by summer."
"The company tripled its profits in two years."
"Demand for the product tripled overnight."
noun
1
In baseball, a hit that lets the batter reach third base.
"The crowd cheered when the rookie slid into third base for a triple."
"A triple in the ninth inning put the home side in front."
"He drove in two runs with a triple to left field."
How to use triple
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThree times as much, or made of three parts.
Common pairings
triple threat
triple the size
hit a triple
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- triples
- Past tense
- tripled
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The recipe calls for a _____ layer of sponge with cream between each.
Etymology
From Latin triplus, ultimately from the same Proto-Indo-European root as "three" — a doublet of "treble."
Synonyms
View more →
threefold
triplicate
tripartite
triune
three-way
triplex
treble
triad
trio
triplet
thrissome
ternary
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for triple
See all rhymes for triple →Frequently asked questions
What does “triple” mean?
The word “triple” means made up of three parts, or three times the usual amount. In plain terms, three times as much, or made of three parts.
How do you pronounce “triple”?
“Triple” is pronounced TRIHP-uhl (/ˈtɹɪp.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “triple” in a sentence?
Here is “triple” used in a sentence: “The gymnast landed a triple somersault.”
What is another word for “triple”?
Words with a similar meaning to “triple” include treble, thrissome, ternary, triadic, trinary and trine.
What part of speech is “triple”?
Depending on how it is used, “triple” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “triple” come from?
The word “triple” comes from Latin. From Latin triplus, ultimately from the same Proto-Indo-European root as "three" — a doublet of "treble.".
Is “triple” a common word?
“Triple” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “triple” have?
“Triple” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made up of three parts, or three times the usual amount.
What is the difference between 'triple' and 'treble'?
Both mean three times as much, but "triple" is the more common everyday word in American and British English, while "treble" is chiefly British and appears in phrases like "treble the amount." As adjectives and verbs they are largely interchangeable, though "treble" also has a separate musical meaning.
What is the difference between 'triple' and 'triplicate'?
"Triple" means made up of three parts or three times as large, while "triplicate" means made in three identical copies, as in "fill out the form in triplicate." A triple portion is three times the size, whereas a document in triplicate is one item reproduced three times.
Does 'triple' need an object when used as a verb?
No. As a verb "triple" can be transitive, taking an object, as in "they tripled the budget," or intransitive, without one, as in "sales tripled last year." The choice depends on whether something is doing the increasing or being increased.
What is the difference between 'triple' and 'trio'?
"Triple" is an adjective or verb describing something made of three parts or multiplied by three, while "trio" is a noun meaning a group or set of three, especially of musicians. You would say "a triple threat" but "a jazz trio."
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