What does trebled mean?
Trebled means that something has been increased, or has increased, to three times its original amount. It can describe the action itself, as in “The company trebled its revenue,” or the resulting state, as in “a trebled contribution.” The word may be transitive, taking the thing that has increased, or intransitive, describing the subject’s own increase: “Subscriptions trebled in a single month.” Trebled is closely related in meaning to tripled but has a somewhat more traditional, formal, or literary character. It is especially natural in reporting about finances, prices, production, memberships, and other quantities that can be compared over time. Although its structure clearly suggests multiplication by three, the word does not mean “tripled twice,” nor does it ordinarily imply a gradual process. It simply presents an exact threefold comparison while sounding more measured and emphatic than many modern alternatives.
To increase something to three times its previous amount, or to become three times as large.
"Demand for the service trebled over the following year."
The verb may be transitive or intransitive and is often somewhat more formal than tripled.
Having three times the original or usual value or amount.
"The organization waived the trebled fee for the second half of the year."
Trebled is another way of saying “tripled,” with a more traditional sound and a shared Latin root meaning “three.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trebled come from?
Trebled comes from the English word treble, meaning “threefold” or “three times as much,” which was borrowed from Old French and ultimately from Latin triplus, a form associated with tri-, meaning “three.” English later developed treble into a verb meaning to make three times as large or to increase threefold. Related English words such as triple, triplicate, and triplicity continue the same Latin association with threefold quantity.
How trebled is actually used
Trebled is somewhat more formal or literary than tripled, although it remains common in business, financial, and legal contexts. It is also used attributively, as in “a trebled fee,” to describe an amount that has been increased threefold.
Easily confused with trebled
Trebled means increased to three times the original amount, whereas troubled means worried or distressed.