What does multiplied mean?
Multiplied is the past tense and past participle of multiply, meaning to increase a number or quantity through repeated addition or by applying a multiplier. It is also used as an adjective for something that has been increased in number, size, frequency, or significance. The word commonly appears in mathematical statements such as “multiplied by 10,” as well as in descriptions of multiplied risk, resistance, pressure, or effects. In general usage, it suggests growth or repetition: a result can be multiplied, a population can be multiplied, or a risk can be multiplied by circumstances that reinforce it. Although multiply is sometimes used figuratively to mean “have many offspring,” that sense is less common than the mathematical and general senses. The form is recognizable from its relationship to multiple, which comes from the Latin multus, meaning “many.”
The past tense and past participle of multiply: to increase a number or quantity by repeated addition or by applying a factor.
"The school multiplied its reading resources by inviting families to donate books."
Commonly used with “by” followed by a factor, as in “multiplied by three.”
Having been increased in number, quantity, frequency, or extent; consisting of many repetitions or parts.
"The team reported a multiplied benefit from combining the two programs."
More common in formal, technical, and mathematical contexts than in casual speech.
The word comes from the Latin multus, meaning “many”: multiplying turns one quantity into many.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does multiplied come from?
The word belongs to the Latin root multus, meaning “many” or “much.” The English verb multiply developed through Old French and Latin forms connected with multiplication, a term literally meaning “a doubling” or “repetition.” Its relatives include multiple, multiplication, and multiplicity, all of which reflect the same idea of numerousness or repeated increase.
Related word forms
How multiplied is actually used
In ordinary use, the form most often functions as the past tense or past participle of multiply. As an adjective, it is common in technical, formal, and mathematical writing, especially before words such as resistance, pressure, risk, and effect. In the phrase multiplied by, the following number is the factor by which something is increased.
Easily confused with multiplied
As a verb, this word means to increase a number through repeated multiplication; as an adjective, it describes something that has been increased or replicated.