quadruple
B2Formal, technical, business
Definition
Meaning
To multiply or be multiplied by four; consisting of four parts, individuals, or groups.
A fourfold increase or amount; in music, a time signature with four beats per measure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word can function as a verb, adjective, noun, or adverb. As a noun, it often refers to the result of multiplying by four or a group of four related things. It implies a significant increase or size.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in both varieties. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Slightly formal or technical.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects, with slightly higher use in American business/finance contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive verb: to quadruple somethingintransitive verb: something quadruplesattributive adjective: a quadruple figureVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly idiomatic]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Profits are expected to quadruple this quarter.
Academic
The study observed a quadruple interaction between the variables.
Everyday
The recipe is for four people, so we need to quadruple the ingredients.
Technical
The patient underwent a coronary artery bypass graft, specifically a quadruple bypass.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company aims to quadruple its renewable energy output by 2030.
- House prices in the area have quadrupled since the 1990s.
American English
- We need to quadruple the batch size for the event.
- Sales quadrupled after the product went viral on social media.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My little sister is quadruple her birth weight now.
- If you quadruple two, you get eight.
- They hope to quadruple the number of trees in the park.
- The charity's income quadrupled following the television appeal.
- A quadruple murder shocked the small community.
- The chemical reaction proceeded at a quadruple rate when the catalyst was introduced.
- Analysts predict a quadruple-digit growth in the quantum computing sector.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a QUAD bike (four wheels) that has quadrupled in price.
Conceptual Metaphor
GROWTH IS VERTICAL MOVEMENT (to quadruple is to shoot up), QUANTITY IS SIZE (a quadruple amount is huge).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'квадратный' (square).
- В русском 'учетверить' используется редко, чаще говорят 'увеличить в четыре раза'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The price quadroupled.' (Correct: quadrupled)
- Incorrect use as a noun: 'He did a quadruple.' (Unclear without context, e.g., 'quadruple jump' in skating).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'quadruple' most commonly used as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, but it can be used informally to mean 'a very large increase' (e.g., 'Our problems have quadrupled').
Quadruple. The sequence is: single, double, triple, quadruple, quintuple, sextuple, etc.
Yes, though less common. Example: 'The value increased quadruple.' It is more formal than 'fourfold' in this role.
They are largely synonymous. 'Fourfold' is slightly more formal/literary and is almost exclusively used as an adjective or adverb. 'Quadruple' is more common, especially as a verb.