# doubling

/ˈdəbəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈʌblɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doubling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. multiplying by two

noun · CEFR B2

the process of making something twice as large or twice as many.

For teachers: the process or instance of increasing a quantity by a factor of two.

- The doubling of the company's profits in just one year surprised the investors.
- Economists observed a rapid doubling of the national debt over the decade, prompting urgent calls for fiscal reform.

### 2. turning back

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the act of turning around and going back the way you came.

For teachers: the act of reversing one's course or turning back on one's own tracks.

- The fox escaped the hunters by a clever doubling back through the thick woods.
- The path required a sharp doubling back at the cliff edge, which confused the hikers who were unfamiliar with the local terrain.

### 3. a trick

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a clever or dishonest trick used to deceive someone.

For teachers: a deceptive manoeuvre or trick; an instance of double-dealing.

- The old stories tell of the villain's doubling and lies to steal the gold.
- The protagonist eventually saw through the antagonist's doublings, realising that every promise made was merely a layer of a larger deception.

## Examples

- The doubling of house prices has made it hard for young people to buy.
- Economists are concerned that the doubling of energy costs over such a short period will trigger a recession.
- The rapid doubling of the population within a single generation placed an unprecedented strain on the city's aging infrastructure and public services.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.