What does triple mean?
Triple is a versatile English word meaning “three” in a compact numerical sense. As an adjective, it can describe something made up of three people or parts, as in a triple alliance, or something equal to three times another quantity, as in a triple fee. As a noun, a triple may be a set or group of three, a threefold amount, or a score worth three, depending on the context. As a verb, to triple means to make or increase something to three times its previous size: a service that tripled its subscription base multiplied that base by three. The word is neutral in register and common in business, sport, law, and everyday description. Its close association with multiplication makes it especially useful for comparisons involving rate, quantity, cost, or effort, while the “three together” sense works naturally for teams, combinations, and arrangements. Context determines whether triple emphasizes the number of parts or threefold magnitude.
A group or set of three; a score worth three points; or an amount equal to three times the original quantity.
"The team scored a triple with ten seconds remaining."
In sports contexts, a triple is normally treated as one indivisible scoring event, even though it is worth three points.
Consisting of three people, parts, or units; equal to three times the original amount, number, or degree.
"The finalists formed a triple partnership."
To make or increase something to three times its former amount.
"The program tripled the number of students it served."
The verb can be transitive, as in “triple the output,” or intransitive, as in “revenue tripled.”
The plural is regular and is used for multiple groups, quantities, or scores of three.
"The players formed two triples for the final exercise."
Triple literally means “threefold,” while its root sibling duplicate means “twofold.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does triple come from?
The English word entered Middle English through Old French triple and Latin triplum, meaning “threefold” or “a threefold quantity.” Latin triplum drew on Greek triplous, “threefold,” associated with tri- (“three”) and ploos (“fold”). The same fold-related vocabulary later appears in English in duplicate, meaning twofold, and triplicate, while treble developed as a close Romance cognate.
Related word forms
How triple is actually used
Triple is neutral in register and common in business, sport, law, and everyday description. In highly formal or precision-focused numerical contexts, an explicit multiplier may occasionally be clearer.
Easily confused with triple
Triple is the general word for a set of three or a threefold amount, whereas treble can have the same meaning in some British contexts but also chiefly means very high-pitched.