# multiple

/ˈməɫtəpəɫ/ (US) · /mˈʌltɪpəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/multiple
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. many or various

adjective · CEFR B1

having or involving many different people, parts, or things.

For teachers: consisting of, including, or involving more than one or many individuals, parts, or elements.

- The victim suffered multiple injuries in the car accident.
- The investigation revealed multiple failures in the safety protocol, suggesting a systemic issue rather than a single human error.

### 2. math product

noun · CEFR B2

a number that you get when you multiply one whole number by another.

For teachers: a number that may be divided by another number without a remainder.

- The numbers 10, 15, and 20 are all multiples of 5.
- Students must learn to identify the least common multiple of two denominators before they can successfully add fractions with different bases.

### 3. finance ratio

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a way to measure a company's value by comparing its stock price to its earnings.

For teachers: a valuation ratio, typically the price-to-earnings ratio, used to determine the relative value of a company's shares.

- Investors are willing to pay a high multiple for tech companies.
- The firm is currently trading at a multiple of twenty times its annual earnings, which some analysts consider overvalued for the sector.

Usage: Often used with 'trading at' or 'high/low'.

### 4. multiple birth

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

one of several babies born at the same time to the same mother.

For teachers: one of several offspring produced in a single birth, such as a twin or triplet.

- The hospital has a special unit for caring for multiples.
- The incidence of multiples has increased significantly due to the widespread use of fertility treatments over the last few decades.

## Examples

- The number 15 is a multiple of 5.
- Investors often look at the price-to-earnings multiple to decide if a stock is currently overvalued or a good bargain.
- In advanced number theory, finding the least common multiple of a set of integers is a fundamental step in solving complex modular arithmetic problems.

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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.