centuple: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rareHighly technical/formal, academic (mathematics, finance, rhetoric)
Quick answer
What does “centuple” mean?
To multiply something by one hundred.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To multiply something by one hundred; hundredfold.
Used to describe a one hundred-fold increase or the act of multiplying by one hundred. In mathematics and financial contexts, it indicates a 100:1 ratio or a multiplication factor of 100.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties. It might be marginally more recognised in American financial journalism (e.g., "centupled their investment").
Connotations
Connotes extreme, almost hyperbolic, multiplication. Can sound deliberately archaic or erudite.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. More likely to be encountered in historical texts, specialised mathematical writing, or as a stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “centuple” in a Sentence
[Subject] centuples [Object] (transitive verb)to centuple (infinitive)a centuple [noun] (adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centuple” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If the initial investment is compounded annually, it will centuple in under fifty years.
- The manufacturer aimed to centuple its output after retooling the factory.
American English
- The venture capital firm hoped to centuple its fund in a decade.
- He claimed the new process could centuple production efficiency.
adverb
British English
- Not standard usage. Typically 'hundredfold' is used adverbially (e.g., 'The yield increased hundredfold').
American English
- Not standard usage. 'Hundredfold' is the standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The researcher observed a centuple rise in bacterial concentration.
- They calculated the centuple multiplier for the inflation model.
American English
- A centuple return on investment is the dream of every startup founder.
- The contract included a clause for a centuple penalty in case of breach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Could appear in hyperbolic reports of success: 'The startup centupled its valuation in five years.'
Academic
Most likely context, especially in mathematics, economics, or history discussing ratios or growth metrics.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would sound pretentious or confusing.
Technical
Primary domain. Used in precise descriptions of scaling, multipliers, or compound growth factors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “centuple”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “centuple”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centuple”
- Using 'centuple' to mean a large but unspecified increase (e.g., 'It centupled a bit'). It must mean exactly 100x.
- Confusing with 'centuple' (100x) and 'decuple' (10x).
- Misspelling as 'centruple' or 'centaple'.
- Incorrect part of speech: using it as a noun (e.g., 'a centuple') instead of a verb or adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a standard, though extremely rare, word in English, following the numeric multiplier pattern (double, triple, etc.).
No, standard usage is as a transitive verb ('to centuple something') or an adjective ('a centuple increase'). The noun form is 'hundredfold'.
The phrase 'increase a hundredfold', 'multiply by one hundred', or simply 'hundredfold' as an adjective/adverb are far more common.
Primarily in technical writing: mathematics (describing scaling factors), finance (extreme returns), and historical analyses describing inflation or population growth.
To multiply something by one hundred.
Centuple is usually highly technical/formal, academic (mathematics, finance, rhetoric) in register.
Centuple: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛntjʊp(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛn.tʃə.pəl/ or /ˈsɛn.tʊ.pəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable. No idioms use this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CENTURY (100 years) + -UPLE (as in multiple, triple). A 'centuple' is a 'century-multiple'—a multiple of one hundred.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IS VERTICAL SCALING (centupling shoots a value up a scale by a factor of 100).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct meaning of 'centuple'?