multiple
/ˈmʌltɪpl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌltɪpl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈməl-tə-pəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmʌl.tɪ.pəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌl.tə.pəl/ (ame, ipa) · /mʌl.tɪ.pəl-/ (bre, ipa) · /mʌl.tə.pəl-/ (ame, ipa)
multiple — adjective
- multiplepositive
- more multiplecomparative
- most multiplesuperlative
1. existing in or involving a large number of people, things, or events — often of
existing in or involving a large number of people, things, or events — often of different kinds or from different sources.
The patient showed multiple symptoms, including fever, headache, and joint pain.
Eleni received multiple job offers after finishing her degree.
multiple + plural noun (job offers)
Police found multiple fingerprints at the crime scene.
Élise gave multiple reasons why she chose art school in Barcelona.
Noa had to fill out multiple forms before the hospital would admit her.
文法句型
multiple + plural noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive position). Unlike some adjectives, 'multiple' does not have comparative or superlative forms — you cannot say 'more multiple' or 'most multiple'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a disease, injury, or medical condition that is found in or harms sev
describing a disease, injury, or medical condition that is found in or harms several different places on a person's body at once.
The car crash left Ignacio with multiple fractures to his legs and ribs.
multiple + plural noun (fractures to body parts)
Kenji learned that his father has multiple sclerosis, which affects the brain and spine.
Doctors discovered multiple tumours in different parts of Nellie's body.
The elderly patient suffered from multiple organ failure after the surgery.
- widespread
less precise about body parts; describes spread across an area rather than multiple sites
- localised
affecting only one part of the body
文法句型
multiple + plural noun (body parts/injuries)
用法筆記
Frequently used with medical compounds such as 'multiple sclerosis', 'multiple fractures', 'multiple organ failure'. In everyday speech the more general adjective sense (many) is far more common.
multiple — noun
- multiplesingular
- multiplesplural
1. a number that results from multiplying a given whole number by another whole num
a number that results from multiplying a given whole number by another whole number — for example, 6, 9, and 12 are multiples of 3.
Ari asked the class to list the multiples of 7 up to 70.
multiple of + number (arithmetic pattern)
The number 36 is a common multiple of 6 and 9.
Tariq explained how to find the lowest common multiple of 4 and 6.
In primary school, children learn about factors and multiples through times tables.
- factor
a number that divides another exactly; the reverse relationship ('3 is a factor of 15' vs '15 is a multiple of 3')
文法句型
multiple of + number
lowest common multiple
用法筆記
Used primarily in mathematics. The paired expression 'factors and multiples' is very common in classroom contexts. 'Lowest common multiple' is often abbreviated as LCM.
常見錯誤
2. an amount or quantity that is a specific number of times larger than a basic uni
an amount or quantity that is a specific number of times larger than a basic unit, used especially when selling, pricing, or packaging items in standard-sized batches.
The prize money was offered in multiples of one thousand dollars.
in multiples of + amount (pricing pattern)
You can buy the fabric in multiples of half a metre.
The medicine is packaged in multiples of 12 tablets per box.
Ryo ordered the spare parts in multiples of 50 to save on shipping fees.
文法句型
in multiples of + number/amount
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the phrase 'in multiples of [number]', describing how something is sold, paid, or grouped. Does not carry the mathematical precision of sense noun/1; it refers to commercial packaging or pricing units.
3. a large retail company that operates stores in many different towns or cities, o
a large retail company that operates stores in many different towns or cities, often selling a wide range of products.
The high street is now dominated by a few large multiples.
large multiples — retail chain meaning
Sahil works for a national multiple that runs over 200 clothing stores.
Small independent shops struggle to compete with the prices offered by retail multiples.
The multiple announced plans to open ten new branches across the country next year.
- chain store
more common in American English; refers to any one of the stores in the group, whereas 'multiple' can refer to the company itself
- retail chain
neutral between British and American; describes the corporate entity clearly
- independent shop
a small, locally owned store not part of a larger group
文法句型
the multiples
national multiple
用法筆記
Chiefly British. In American English, 'chain store' or 'retail chain' is far more common. Used almost exclusively in business or news contexts to refer to large supermarket or department-store groups.
multiple — prefix
1. used before a noun or adjective to form a compound meaning 'having more than one
used before a noun or adjective to form a compound meaning 'having more than one' or 'involving several' of what the base word describes — for example, a 'multiple-choice' test has many possible answers to choose from.
The final exam was a multiple-choice test with 50 questions.
multiple-choice — common compound adjective
Ilan applied for a multiple-entry visa so he could visit Japan several times.
This multi-purpose tool can cut wood, open bottles, and tighten screws.
The government built a multiple-use facility that serves as a school and a community centre.
文法句型
multiple- + noun (hyphenated compound)
multiple- + noun (as single word)
用法筆記
A productive prefix: new compounds can be formed as needed (e.g. 'multiple-outlet store', 'multiple-source funding'). When the prefix form 'multi-' is used instead ('multi-purpose', 'multi-entry'), it is typically written without a hyphen in common compounds. The 'multiple-' form is less common as a productive prefix than 'multi-', but appears in institutional or bureaucratic language (e.g. 'multiple-use building', 'multiple-entry visa').