multitasking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral (used across formal, informal, technical and everyday contexts)
Quick answer
What does “multitasking” mean?
The ability of a person or computer to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ability of a person or computer to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
The act of handling more than one task or activity concurrently; in computing, the concurrent operation by one central processing unit of two or more processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling; widely used and understood identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly positive in professional contexts (efficient), but can carry a negative connotation in discussions of productivity (distraction, reduced quality).
Frequency
Extremely high and comparable frequency in both UK and US English, especially in business and technology domains.
Grammar
How to Use “multitasking” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + good at + multitasking[subject] + involves + multitaskingthe + multitasking + of + [agent]to + handle + multitaskingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “multitasking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was multitasking efficiently between the budget report and a client call.
- Modern operating systems are designed to multitask seamlessly.
American English
- He's multitasking by responding to emails during the webinar.
- It's difficult to multitask when you're tired.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used; 'multitaskingly' is non-standard. Typically expressed as 'while multitasking').
American English
- (Rarely used; 'multitaskingly' is non-standard. Typically expressed as 'while multitasking').
adjective
British English
- She has strong multitasking abilities.
- We need a multitasking operating system.
American English
- This is a multitasking tool that combines editing and design.
- He's in a multitasking role that blends marketing and sales.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to an employee's ability to handle emails, calls, and reports simultaneously. Often listed as a desired skill in job descriptions.
Academic
Studied in psychology and cognitive science regarding attention and performance degradation. Also in computer science for OS design.
Everyday
Used to describe a parent cooking dinner while helping with homework, or someone texting while watching TV.
Technical
In computing, the capability of an operating system to run several applications or processes at the same time.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “multitasking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “multitasking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “multitasking”
- Misspelling as 'multitaskin' or 'multi-tasking' (hyphen is less common in modern usage).
- Using it as a verb without the -ing ('I multitask' is correct; 'I am multitask' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cognitive science suggests humans don't truly multitask for complex activities but switch tasks rapidly, which can reduce efficiency and increase errors.
In precise terms, multitasking implies simultaneous execution, while task-switching denotes rapid alternation. In everyday language, 'multitasking' is used for both.
The unhyphenated form 'multitasking' is now standard. 'Multi-tasking' is an older variant that is less common.
Yes, the back-formation 'to multitask' is very common (e.g., 'She can multitask effectively').
The ability of a person or computer to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Multitasking is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, technical and everyday contexts) in register.
Multitasking: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmʌl.tiˈtɑːs.kɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmʌl.tiˈtæs.kɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Juggling plates”
- “Spinning plates”
- “Having many irons in the fire (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MULTI-armed chef TASKed with frying, chopping, and baking all at once – that's MULTI-TASKING.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A COMPUTER (e.g., 'I can't run too many programs at once'), TASKS ARE OBJECTS TO BE JUGGLED.
Practice
Quiz
In which field did the term 'multitasking' originate?