What does multum mean?
Multum is a Latin adverb meaning “much,” equivalent in its basic sense to much, greatly, or considerably. It also has the grammatical form of the neuter accusative singular of the Latin adjective multus, which can mean “much” or “many” according to context and the gender of the noun it modifies. In present-day English, the word is uncommon outside retained Latin expressions, philosophical quotations, legal or scholarly contexts, and mottos. Its best-known appearance is in multum in parvo, a phrase meaning “much in little,” often used to describe a compact work that contains a wealth of learning or significance. Because multum belongs chiefly to Latin rather than the ordinary English vocabulary, speakers should treat it as a learned or international Latin term and recognize that its inflection and usage may depend on the phrase in which it occurs.
adverbMuch; to a great extent or in a great quantity. In modern English, multum is encountered chiefly within Latin phrases.
- Much; to a great extent or in a great quantity.
"The phrase multum in parvo expresses the ideal of finding much significance in a small work."
"The exhibition had multum in parvo, presenting a broad collection within a compact space."
"Multum frusta, not multum in parso: the classical tag stresses many fragments rather than much in little."
Multum survives in English mainly through multum in parvo, a Latin motto meaning “much in little.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does multum come from?
Multum comes from Latin multus, an adjective meaning “much” or “many,” whose neuter accusative singular form is multum. Latin also used multum independently as an adverb meaning “much.” Related English words include multitude, multiply, multiple, and multifarious, all of which continue the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How multum is actually used
This is primarily a Latin form rather than everyday English. In classical Latin it is commonly understood as the neuter accusative singular of multus, “much” or “many,” and also as an adverb meaning “much.” English speakers will usually encounter it in mottoes, scholarly contexts, or quotations.
Easily confused with multum
Multum means “much,” whereas multo means “by much” or “much more” in a comparison.
Multum is an adverb meaning “much,” while multus is the Latin adjective meaning “much” or “many.”