What does octuple mean?
Octuple means eight times as great, consisting of eight equal parts, or forming a group of eight. As an adjective, it describes an amount or arrangement that has been multiplied by eight: an “octuple increase,” for example, is an increase to eight times the original figure. As a noun, an octuple is a set or grouping of eight. As a verb, to octuple something means to multiply its quantity or value by eight, while to octuple can also mean to increase eightfold. The word is uncommon in everyday speech but occurs in formal, mathematical, financial, and technical writing. Its unusual feature is that it can express both the result of multiplication and the presence of eight related parts. Although rare compared with words such as double and triple, it is useful when precision matters and an eightfold change must be described explicitly.
Consisting of eight parts or equal units; eightfold.
"The new system provides an octuple increase in processing capacity."
Chiefly formal and used especially in technical, financial, and mathematical contexts.
A group, set, or arrangement of eight.
"The eight candidates formed an octuple for the final selection."
To make or become eight times as great or numerous.
"The company plans to octuple its investment over the next five years."
The verb is usually transitive when something is multiplied and intransitive when the subject undergoes the increase.
The plural is rare and is used when referring to more than one eight-member group.
"The two octuples met before the final competition."
If two become four, the result is quadruple; if four become eight, the result is octuple.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does octuple come from?
Octuple comes through English from Latin octuplus, meaning “eightfold” or “eight times as great.” The Latin word was formed from octo, meaning “eight,” together with a suffix related to plus, meaning “more.” The same numerical root underlies English words such as octet, octave, and octogenarian.
Related word forms
How octuple is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word, especially outside mathematical, financial, or technical contexts. The verb is often transitive, with the thing being multiplied as its object.
Easily confused with octuple
An octuple is an eightfold quantity or a group of eight, whereas an octet is specifically a group or arrangement of eight things.