1. to increase in number by reproduction or procreation
繁殖；繁衍
Rabbits multiply very quickly.
兔子繁殖得非常快。
The bacteria began to multiply in the warm environment.
細菌在溫暖的環境中開始繁殖。
Multiply Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
multiply
verb
快速理解
What does "Multiply" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Multiply"?
「multiply」主要指數學上的乘法運算，也延伸指數量上的增加或繁殖。
- 1
數學運算
EN: to perform the mathematical operation of multiplication
翻譯: 進行乘法運算
- 2
數量增加
EN: to increase in number or amount
翻譯: （數量或程度）增加、增多
- 3
生物繁殖
EN: to breed or reproduce
翻譯: （生物）繁殖、繁衍
小提醒：注意「multiply」在數學中是「乘」，但在一般語境中常指「大量增加」，容易混淆。例如「multiply the chances」不是「乘上機會」，而是「大大增加機會」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Multiply" in English）
How to pronounce "Multiply" in English?"Multiply" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Multiply" from YouTube Videos
Richard Weller: Could the sun be good for your heart?
TED
“So what you can do is you can multiply those data by the NO that's released and you can calculate how much nitric oxide would be released from the skin into the circulation.”
(1 out of 22)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Multiply"?How does "Multiply" change by context?
2. to perform the mathematical operation of multiplication
（數學）乘；相乘
If you multiply 6 by 7, you get 42.
如果你把 6 乘以 7，會得到 42。
Children learn to multiply and divide in elementary school.
孩子們在小學學習乘法和除法。
3. to increase greatly in number or amount
（數量）大幅增加；倍增
Our problems have multiplied since the project started.
自從專案開始後，我們的問題就大幅增加了。
The company's profits multiplied over the last five years.
這家公司的利潤在過去五年裡倍增。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Multiply"?How to make natural sentences with "Multiply"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| multiply + by + number | 乘以… | Multiply 6 by 7 to get 42. |
| multiply + noun | 使…增加；繁殖 | Rabbits multiply quickly. |
| multiply + noun + by + number | 將…乘以… | Multiply the length by the width to find the area. |
| be multiplied | 被增加；被繁殖 | The bacteria were multiplied in the lab. |
| multiply + together | 相乘 | Multiply these two numbers together. |
用法說明
How is "Multiply" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Multiply"?
multiply doing vs multiply to do
- multiply doing 通常描述一個持續、重複或習慣性的動作，強調過程或狀態。
- multiply to do 則常指為了特定目的或結果而進行的動作，或指單一、即將發生的行為。
- 在表示「增加、繁殖」的動作本身時，兩者有時可互換，但細微差別在於 doing 偏向描述畫面，to do 偏向描述目的。
- 在情態動詞（如 would, might）或形容詞（如 likely）後，通常接 multiply to do。 EN: The bacteria began to multiply rapidly, spreading the infection. 翻譯: 細菌開始迅速繁殖，擴散了感染。
EN:We need to multiply our efforts to achieve the target this quarter.
翻譯:我們需要加倍努力以達成這季的目標。
總結建議
一般情況下，描述持續或重複的狀態用 multiply doing，強調目的或單一動作則用 multiply to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Multiply" and similar words?How to choose "Multiply" vs alternatives?
multiply vs increase
「multiply」強調數量成倍數、快速地增長，通常用於數學或生物繁殖；「increase」泛指數量、程度、規模的增加，範圍更廣。
multiply vs propagate
「multiply」側重於數量上的增加或繁殖；「propagate」強調主動傳播、擴散，常用於思想、資訊或植物的繁殖。
multiply vs expand
「multiply」主要指數量上的倍增或繁殖；「expand」強調在範圍、規模、體積或細節上的擴大與展開。
口語用法
How is "Multiply" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Multiply"?
引述
在引述或轉述他人的話時，會用「multiply」來表示「增加」或「變多」的概念，語氣較為隨意。 EN: He said the problems just multiply if you ignore them. 翻譯: 他說如果你忽視問題，它們只會不斷增加。
EN:She was like, "My worries multiply every time I check the news."
翻譯:她當時就說：「我每次看新聞，擔憂就變更多。」
語氣強調
在口語中，有時會用「multiply」來誇張地強調數量或程度的快速增長，帶有生動的語氣。 EN: After the announcement, our workload multiplied overnight! 翻譯: 公告發布後，我們的工作量一夜之間暴增！
EN:The excitement just multiplied when they revealed the surprise guest.
翻譯:當他們公布神秘嘉賓時，現場的興奮感瞬間倍增。
停頓填充
在思考或組織句子時，偶爾會用「multiply」作為一個過渡詞，但這並非其典型用法，通常出現在較隨性、比喻性的談話中。 EN: The issues we face... multiply... it's really about resource allocation. 翻譯: 我們面對的問題…不斷增加…這其實關乎資源分配。
EN:My to-do list seems to, you know, multiply every time I look away.
翻譯:我的待辦事項清單，你知道的，好像每次我一轉頭就變多了。
注意：以上口語用法在正式寫作或學術報告中應避免，應使用更精確、正式的詞彙（如 increase significantly, proliferate, grow exponentially 等）。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Multiply"?What fixed phrases with "Multiply" should I remember?
multiply by
multiply (something) by (number)
將（某數）乘以（某數）
multiply together
multiply (numbers) together
將（數字）相乘
multiply up
multiply up
按比例增加；倍增
multiply rapidly
multiply rapidly
迅速繁殖；快速增加
multiply and divide
multiply and divide
乘與除
multiply efforts
multiply (someone's) efforts
使（某人的）努力成效倍增
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Multiply"?Which "Multiply" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The bacteria multiplyed quickly in the warm environment.
✓The bacteria multiplied quickly in the warm environment.
The past tense and past participle of 'multiply' is 'multiplied', not 'multiplyed'. This is a common spelling error with verbs ending in 'y'.
×We need to multiply this number for 5.
✓We need to multiply this number by 5.
In mathematical contexts, the correct preposition after 'multiply' is 'by', not 'for'. The pattern is 'multiply A by B'.
×The problems are multiplying up.
✓The problems are multiplying.
'Multiply' itself means to increase in number or amount. Adding 'up' is redundant and incorrect in this context.
×He tried to multiply his savings with risky investments.
✓He tried to multiply his savings through risky investments.
When describing the means or method by which something increases, 'through', 'by', or 'via' is more natural than 'with'. 'With' can imply accompaniment rather than the means of multiplication.
×The teacher asked us to multiply 12 and 4.
✓The teacher asked us to multiply 12 by 4.
In formal mathematical instructions, 'multiply A by B' is the standard phrasing. Using 'and' is ambiguous and less precise, as it could be misinterpreted as adding the numbers.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Multiply"?What are tense/participle forms of "Multiply"?
multiplies(3rd_singular)multiplying(present_participle)multiplied(past)multiplied(past_participle)