What does "multiply" mean?

1. (mathematics) to add a number to itself a specific number of times. 2. (to increase in number) to increase greatly in number or amount. 3. (to breed) to produce many young animals or plants. 4. (in many ways) in many different ways or in multiple places.

Is it correct to say "If you multiply 5 with 4, you get 20."?

No — say "If you multiply 5 by 4, you get 20.". In mathematics, use the preposition 'by' after the verb multiply.

multiply

v. · adv.

US //ˈməɫtəˌpɫaɪ// mul·ti·ply

1 mathematics (v.)
B1 Intermediate Math

to add a number to itself a specific number of times.

to perform the mathematical operation of multiplication. Often used with the preposition 'by'.

Example

If you multiply three by five, the answer is fifteen.

Example

Students are expected to multiply multi-digit integers without the aid of a calculator by the end of the semester.
- calculate
- divide
Pitfall

If you multiply 5 with 4, you get 20.

If you multiply 5 by 4, you get 20.

In mathematics, use the preposition 'by' after the verb multiply.
2 to increase in number (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to increase greatly in number or amount.

to increase significantly in quantity or intensity. Often used intransitively to describe rapid growth.

Example

Complaints from customers began to multiply after the price increase.

Example

As the economic crisis deepened, the challenges facing the small business community continued to multiply at an alarming rate.
- increase
- proliferate
- mushroom
- decrease
- diminish

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 to breed (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

to produce many young animals or plants.

to breed or propagate offspring, typically in large numbers.

Example

Bacteria can multiply very quickly in warm conditions.

Example

Under ideal laboratory conditions, the virus can multiply within the host cells in a matter of hours.
4 in many ways (adv.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Academic

in many different ways or in multiple places.

in a multiple manner; in many ways or parts.

Example

The author is multiply talented, working as a writer, painter, and musician.

Example

The study suggests that the protein is multiply regulated by several distinct cellular pathways simultaneously.
- variously
- repeatedly
- singly

Etymology 1

From Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicō, from multi (“many”) + plicō (“to fold”). The noun presumably derives from the verb.

Etymology 2

From multiple + -ly.

Word family

Verbmultiply
Nounmultiplication
Nounmultiplier

Idioms1 entry

01
go forth and multiply
go fuck oneself; fuck off.