Prefix · many / multiple
Signals many or multiple: multiply, multicultural, multimedia, multitask, multilingual.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Multi- comes from Latin "multus" (many, much) and signals plurality or multiplicity in a broad sense: multiply = make more of something; multicultural = of many cultures; multilingual = speaking multiple languages; multimedia = using multiple media; multitask = performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Unlike poly- (Greek), multi- comes from Latin.
Multi- and poly- mean the same thing (many/multiple) but come from different roots: multi- from Latin, poly- from Greek. In formal science, poly- is typically preferred (polymer, polyphony). In corporate and technology language, multi- tends to dominate: multitasking, multimedia, multiplatform, multilevel. The difference is one of register and field, not meaning.
Attaches to nouns and adjectives. Identical in Spanish and English:
Pronunciation: /ˈmʌlti/. Identical in Spanish and English. In technology, multi- is especially productive: multiscreen, multiplatform, multiuser.
multi-/ˈmʌlti/
Tap the button to hear how the prefix sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
The term "multitasking" comes from computing. Applied to humans, neuroscience shows that what we call "multitasking" is actually "task-switching" — rapid refocusing — which reduces efficiency and quality in both tasks.
"Multilingual" = communicating in more than one language (neutral, broad). "Polyglot" typically implies advanced proficiency in several languages (usually three or more) and carries a stronger connotation of linguistic skill. A country can be "multilingual"; a person who masters six languages might be called "a polyglot."
A trick to remember it
Multi- = "many" or "multiple": multiply = make more, multicultural = of many cultures, multilingual = speaking many languages, multitask = doing many tasks. Identical in Spanish and English. Multi- (Latin) and poly- (Greek) mean the same; multi- dominates in technology and business.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"Research shows that ___ actually reduces productivity because the brain switches focus rapidly between tasks."
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
What is the difference between "multilingual" and "polyglot"?
The prefix multi- signals many or multiple: multiply, multicultural, multimedia, multitask, multilingual. In Spanish it usually maps to multi-.
The prefix multi- is pronounced /ˈmʌlti/. For example, "multitask".
"task" becomes "multitask". It is a typical example of the multi- prefix.
un-, re-, pre-, dis-, over-, in-... every beginning you need to unlock thousands of English words at once.