English Reference
Adjective

twofold

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈtuˈfoʊɫd/ UK /tˈuːfəʊld/ twofold

adj.having two parts or reasons. You use this to describe something that is made of two different things or has two different goals.

adj.consisting of or having two parts, aspects, or purposes. Often used to describe a result or a cause that has two distinct components.


SIMPLE

The success of the project had a twofold benefit.

CONTEXTUAL

The new policy was designed for a twofold purpose: to reduce costs and to improve safety standards.

COMPLEX

The architect's twofold approach to the renovation addressed both the structural integrity of the building and the aesthetic needs of the modern office.

When both conditions were present, however, the risk of death rose by more than twofold.

ScienceDaily· 14 Aug 2026

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English twofold, from Old English twēofeald. Equivalent to two + -fold; cognate to Icelandic tvöfalt and Dutch tweevoudig.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English twēofeald
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated