multiply

To calculate a number times another number, such as three times four.

• Multiply four by three.
• She multiplied the price by the number of tickets.
• What do you get if you multiply seven by eight?

How to use it: multiply A by B (Multiply six by five to get thirty.)

Opposites: divide

Common phrases: multiply by ten, multiply two numbers, multiply by something

To become much greater in number, or make something much greater in number.

• Our problems began to multiply.
• The costs multiplied as the project grew.
• Poor communication can multiply the difficulties.

Similar words: increase, grow

Opposites: decrease

Common phrases: problems multiply, multiply rapidly, multiply the risk

To produce young or new living things of the same kind.

• Bacteria multiply quickly in warm food.
• The rabbits multiplied until the island was crowded.
• These cells can multiply without any help.

Similar words: reproduce, breed

Common phrases: bacteria multiply, multiply rapidly, cells multiply