multi
noun
a pattern of several colors or hues, usually in stripes.
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multi
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multi-
multi-a combining form meaning “many,” “much,” “multiple,” “many times,” “more than one,” “more than two,” “composed of many like parts,” “in many respects,” used in the formation of compound words.
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multi–
multi–A prefix that means “many” or “much,” as in multicellular, having many cells.
multi
1 American
[muhl-tee, -tahy]
/ ˈmʌl ti, -taɪ /
noun
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multis
plural
adjective
multi-
2
American
multi-
British
combining form
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many or much
multiflorous
multimillion
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more than one
multiparous
multistorey
multi–
Scientific
Usage
What does multi- mean? Multi- is a combining form used like a prefix with a variety of meanings, including “many; much; multiple.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms. Multi- comes from Latin multus, meaning “much” and “many.” The Greek equivalent of multus is polýs, also meaning both “much” and “many,” which is the source of the combining form poly-. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article about poly-. What are variants of multi-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, multi- becomes mult-, as in multangular, from Latin multangulus. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about mult-.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of multi1
By shortening of multicolor or multicolored
Origin of multi-2
Middle English < Latin, combining form of multus much, many
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The festival's other site in Leeds, meanwhile, closes after performances from singer-songwriter Raye and multi award-winning rapper Dave on Sunday night.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Supt Judy Hill added that the "ongoing multi agency response remains a high priority, with significant partnership resources and volunteers working tirelessly and in challenging circumstances, to support our efforts to extinguish the fires".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
A research team in Japan has successfully recreated key human neural circuits in the laboratory using tiny, multi region brain models called assembloids.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 7, 2026
The machines are “a deliberate choice by a multi billion dollar corporation that absolutely knew what it was doing and chose to weaponize sound literally,” said Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the city’s first district.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025
But I'm getting rid of the multi, Mr. Blaine.
From The Nine-Tenths by James Oppenheim
“In an eventual post-crisis world, a multi- polar environment lends itself to a much more gold-positive one. Additionally, many of the undercurrents that drove gold prices higher remain intact, albeit on pause,” he added.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
Mid-cap funds also received $153 million, but multi- and small-cap funds saw net selling worth $1.53 billion and $405 million, respectively.
From Reuters ● Sep. 15, 2023
The celebrations typically conclude with a multi- or single-day lantern festival.
From Fox News ● Jan. 27, 2022
“People made memories there. They got married there. They celebrated special occasions there. If you were a debutante, you made your debut there. It had a multi-, multigenerational impact.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 24, 2017
Whether living in thickly populated urban clusters or in remote locations, people are physically connected through multi- channeled communication networks, and even through interactive media.
From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Mihai Nadin
I advise avoiding gummy multivitamin/mineral supplements, as they contain fewer nutrients and degrade much faster than “regular” multis.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2022
His reminiscences must be read multis cum granis.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 04, No. 21, July, 1859 by Various
There is a fashion of eulogy, as well as of vituperation, and, though the Lottery stood for some time in the latter predicament, we hesitate not to assert that "multis ille bonis flebilis occidit."
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 84, October, 1864 by Various
Beach of four or five miles to Hastings, enchanting Hastings, unique; Fairly Farm, Sir Whistler Webster's, just above it; perfect in its kind, cum multis aliis, &c.
From Lord Chatham His Early Life and Connections by Archibald Phillip Primrose Rosebery
Socrates, Homer, Ovid, Horace, Plautus, Terence, Shakspeare, Watt, Sir Isaac Newton, cum multis aliis! their names are remembered, and their fame is to the end of the world!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 4th 1893 by Various
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