twelvefold

The company's profits increased twelvefold over the last decade.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Twelve times as great or as many: "twelvefold" describes something that is increased by a factor of twelve.
   • Having twelve parts or aspects: "twelvefold" can also describe something composed of or divided into twelve distinct elements.

2. Adverb:

   • By a factor of twelve: "twelvefold" indicates an increase or multiplication by twelve times.
   • In twelve ways or directions: "twelvefold" can describe an action or process that occurs in twelve different manners or divisions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The company reported a twelvefold increase in profit this quarter. (The profit grew twelve times greater than before.)
  • The twelvefold structure of the committee ensures representation from all districts. (The committee has twelve separate parts or members.)

• Adverb:

  • The population of the city has grown twelvefold over the last century. (The population has multiplied by twelve.)
  • The ancient text describes the universe as being divided twelvefold. (The universe is split into twelve distinct realms or categories.)

Advanced Usage

• "a twelvefold rise": an increase that is twelve times the original amount.

  • The twelvefold rise in housing costs has made it difficult for many families. (Housing costs have multiplied by twelve.)

• "to multiply twelvefold": to increase by a factor of twelve.

  • The number of students enrolling in the program has multiplied twelvefold since its inception. (The enrollment number has become twelve times larger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Twelve (n/adj): the number 12.
  • There are twelve months in a year. (The cardinal number 12.)
• Fold (suffix): used with numbers to indicate multiplication by that number.
  • A twofold increase means doubling. (An increase by two times.)

Synonyms

• Twelve times: the same as "twelvefold" when used as an adverb.
  • The value increased twelve times. (The value multiplied by twelve.)
• Duodecuple: a rare formal term meaning twelvefold.
  • A duodecuple increase in production was recorded. (A twelvefold increase.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs exist for "twelvefold"; it is primarily used as an adjective or adverb.)

Related Idioms

• "to the twelfth power": an informal expression meaning multiplied by itself twelve times (mathematical), but sometimes used figuratively for emphasis.
  • His enthusiasm was raised to the twelfth power after the win. (His enthusiasm increased enormously, though not literally twelvefold.)