Definition

1. Adverb:
   • By a factor of three; multiplied by three: Indicates that a quantity has been tripled or is three times greater than a base amount.

Usage

• The adverb "three times" is used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express a tripling of amount, degree, or frequency. It is synonymous with "threefold."
• It is commonly used in comparative and quantitative contexts.

Examples

• Modifying a verb (indicating increase):
  • The company's profits grew three times in the last quarter.
• Modifying an adjective (in a comparative structure):
  • This new model is three times more efficient than the old one.
• Modifying a noun phrase (often with 'as much/many as'):
  • She earns three times as much as I do.

Advanced Usage

• "three times over": An emphatic form meaning repeatedly or by a factor of three on multiple occasions.
  • He checked the calculations three times over to ensure accuracy.
• In mathematical or formal contexts, "three times" can be used to state multiplication explicitly.
  • Three times four is twelve.

Variants and Related Words

• Threefold (adj/adv): Consisting of three parts or being three times as great or as numerous.
  • A threefold increase.
• Triple (adj/verb): Consisting of three parts; to become three times as great or numerous.
  • They plan to triple their investment.

Synonyms

• Thrice (adv, formal/literary): Three times.
  • The bell tolled thrice.
• Triply (adv): In a triple manner or degree.

Related Phrases

• Three times the size/amount: A common comparative phrase.
  • The new warehouse is three times the size of the old one.
• At three times the rate: Indicating a pace or frequency that is tripled.
  • The virus was spreading at three times the rate of the previous week.

Notes

• "Three times" is primarily an adverbial phrase. While "three-time" can function as a compound adjective (e.g., ), the target term here is the adverbial phrase "three times."

Adverb

1. by a factor of three
   • our rent increased threefold in the past five years