What this suffix does
-fold means "multiplied by": twofold, threefold, tenfold, hundredfold.
ESEN
Suffix · forms adjectives and adverbs
-fold
From Old English "-feald" (layer, fold): forms multipliers. Tenfold = ten times; manifold = multiple; twofold = double. Very common in journalism and formal prose.
In Spanish: times / multiplied byIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
Very common in news, and "manifold" is a separate case
"Profits rose tenfold" = profits multiplied by 10. It shows up constantly in economics and statistics articles. "manifold" is not a number: it means "many and varied" ("manifold reasons" = many different reasons).
How it is formed
Number or quantifier + fold. Produces multiplying adjectives/adverbs.
- number + fold (exact multiplier)two = twofoldthree = threefoldfour = fourfoldfive = fivefoldten = tenfoldhundred = hundredfoldthousand = thousandfold
- quantifier + fold (general multiplier)many = manifoldseven = sevenfoldfifty = fiftyfold
"Manifold" is the only non-numerical form that survives as a standalone adjective with its own meaning (multiple, varied). "Sevenfold" is also used as a band name (Avenged Sevenfold). All -fold forms can be used as adjectives ("a tenfold increase") or adverbs ("profits rose tenfold").
How it is pronounced
-fold/foʊld/ · rhymes with cold
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -fold
In a phrase
- twotwofoldSales increased twofold after the new ad campaign.
- threethreefoldThe city's population grew threefold in ten years.
- tentenfoldDemand for the product increased tenfold overnight.
- hundredhundredfoldHer effort paid off a hundredfold.
- manymanifoldThe new policy has manifold benefits for small businesses.
- fourfourfoldProfits increased fourfold this quarter.
- fivefivefoldThe risk of injury is fivefold if you don't wear a helmet.
- thousandthousandfoldThe photo was shared a thousandfold on social media.
- sevensevenfoldTraffic accidents increased sevenfold during the holiday.
- fiftyfiftyfoldThe town's population grew fiftyfold after the factory opened.
Common mistakes
increase tenfold = add ten to the original
increase tenfold = multiply by ten (the result is ten times the original)
If something goes from 100 to 1000, it increased tenfold. -fold always signals multiplication, not addition.
manyfold is the correct form for "multiple"
manifold is the correct lexicalised form (many + fold)
"manyfold" is not a standard word. The correct form is "manifold" for the meaning of "multiple and varied". In technical contexts: manifold = a pipe fitting with multiple outlets.
twofold = having two copies of the same problem
twofold = double or having two distinct aspects
"The problem is twofold" = the problem has two dimensions. "a twofold increase" = an increase to double. Both uses are correct and frequent.
A trick to remember it
Picture folding a sheet of paper: each fold multiplies it. two-fold = folded once (x2), ten-fold = folded much more (x10). The fold itself is the multiplication.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"Profits rose tenfold" means...
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"The problem is twofold" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -fold mean in English?
The suffix -fold from Old English "-feald" (layer, fold): forms multipliers. Tenfold = ten times; manifold = multiple; twofold = double. Very common in journalism and formal prose. In Spanish it usually maps to times / multiplied by.
How do you pronounce -fold?
The ending -fold is pronounced /foʊld/ · rhymes with cold. For example, "twofold".
Can you give an example of a word with -fold?
"two" becomes "twofold". It is a typical example of the -fold suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-itude
From Latin "-itudo": forms abstract nouns of state or quality. Solitude, gratitude, magnitude, fortitude.
-most
Forms position superlatives: innermost, topmost, and with compass points: northernmost, southernmost. Utmost (the greatest possible) and foremost (the leading one) are the two you will use most.
-ward / -wards
Turns a direction word into a direction adverb/adjective: inward, outward, forward. Works with almost any direction word, it is productive.
Learn every English suffix
-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.