multiple
multiple — 形容詞
1. existing in or involving a large number of people, things, or events — often of
多種多樣
指為數眾多且常包含不同類別
existing in or involving a large number of people, things, or events — often of different kinds or from different sources.
The patient showed multiple symptoms, including fever, headache, and joint pain.
該名患者出現多種症狀，包括發燒、頭痛和關節疼痛。
Eleni received multiple job offers after finishing her degree.
Eleni 完成學位後收到了多個工作錄取通知。
multiple + plural noun (job offers)
Police found multiple fingerprints at the crime scene.
警方在犯罪現場發現了多枚指紋。
Élise gave multiple reasons why she chose art school in Barcelona.
Élise 列出了多個理由，說明她為何選擇巴塞隆納的藝術學校。
Noa had to fill out multiple forms before the hospital would admit her.
Noa 在醫院同意收治她之前，必須填寫多份表格。
文法句型
multiple + plural noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive position). Unlike some adjectives, 'multiple' does not have comparative or superlative forms — you cannot say 'more multiple' or 'most multiple'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a disease, injury, or medical condition that is found in or harms sev
多處的
同時影響身體多個部位的（疾病或傷害）
describing a disease, injury, or medical condition that is found in or harms several different places on a person's body at once.
The car crash left Ignacio with multiple fractures to his legs and ribs.
那場車禍造成 Ignacio 的雙腿和肋骨多處骨折。
multiple + plural noun (fractures to body parts)
Kenji learned that his father has multiple sclerosis, which affects the brain and spine.
Kenji 得知父親罹患多發性硬化症，這是一種影響大腦和脊髓的疾病。
Doctors discovered multiple tumours in different parts of Nellie's body.
醫生在 Nellie 身體的不同部位發現了多處腫瘤。
The elderly patient suffered from multiple organ failure after the surgery.
該名年長患者在術後出現多重器官衰竭。
- widespread
less precise about body parts; describes spread across an area rather than multiple sites
- localised
affecting only one part of the body
文法句型
multiple + plural noun (body parts/injuries)
用法筆記
Frequently used with medical compounds such as 'multiple sclerosis', 'multiple fractures', 'multiple organ failure'. In everyday speech the more general adjective sense (many) is far more common.
multiple — 名詞
1. a number that results from multiplying a given whole number by another whole num
倍數
能被另一整數整除的數
a number that results from multiplying a given whole number by another whole number — for example, 6, 9, and 12 are multiples of 3.
Ari asked the class to list the multiples of 7 up to 70.
Ari 請全班學生列出 7 在 70 以內的倍數。
multiple of + number (arithmetic pattern)
The number 36 is a common multiple of 6 and 9.
36 是 6 和 9 的公倍數。
Tariq explained how to find the lowest common multiple of 4 and 6.
Tariq 解釋了如何找出 4 和 6 的最小公倍數。
In primary school, children learn about factors and multiples through times tables.
在小學階段，孩子們透過乘法表學習因數和倍數。
- factor
a number that divides another exactly; the reverse relationship ('3 is a factor of 15' vs '15 is a multiple of 3')
文法句型
multiple of + number
lowest common multiple
用法筆記
Used primarily in mathematics. The paired expression 'factors and multiples' is very common in classroom contexts. 'Lowest common multiple' is often abbreviated as LCM.
常見錯誤
2. an amount or quantity that is a specific number of times larger than a basic uni
倍量
以特定單位數量出售或計價
an amount or quantity that is a specific number of times larger than a basic unit, used especially when selling, pricing, or packaging items in standard-sized batches.
The prize money was offered in multiples of one thousand dollars.
獎金以一千美元的倍數計算。
in multiples of + amount (pricing pattern)
You can buy the fabric in multiples of half a metre.
這種布料可以半公尺的倍數購買。
The medicine is packaged in multiples of 12 tablets per box.
該藥品以每盒 12 顆的倍數包裝。
Ryo ordered the spare parts in multiples of 50 to save on shipping fees.
Ryo 以 50 個為倍數訂購零件，以節省運費。
文法句型
in multiples of + number/amount
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the phrase 'in multiples of [number]', describing how something is sold, paid, or grouped. Does not carry the mathematical precision of sense noun/1; it refers to commercial packaging or pricing units.
3. a large retail company that operates stores in many different towns or cities, o
連鎖店
在多個城鎮設有分店的大型零售商
a large retail company that operates stores in many different towns or cities, often selling a wide range of products.
The high street is now dominated by a few large multiples.
如今這條商業街上由幾家大型連鎖店主導。
large multiples — retail chain meaning
Sahil works for a national multiple that runs over 200 clothing stores.
Sahil 在一家全國性連鎖店工作，該公司經營超過 200 間服飾門市。
Small independent shops struggle to compete with the prices offered by retail multiples.
小型獨立商店難以與零售連鎖店的價格競爭。
The multiple announced plans to open ten new branches across the country next year.
該連鎖店宣布明年將在全國新開十家分店。
- chain store
more common in American English; refers to any one of the stores in the group, whereas 'multiple' can refer to the company itself
- retail chain
neutral between British and American; describes the corporate entity clearly
- independent shop
a small, locally owned store not part of a larger group
文法句型
the multiples
national multiple
用法筆記
Chiefly British. In American English, 'chain store' or 'retail chain' is far more common. Used almost exclusively in business or news contexts to refer to large supermarket or department-store groups.
multiple — 字首
1. used before a noun or adjective to form a compound meaning 'having more than one
多—；多重的
置於名詞形容詞前構成複合詞，表「多個」
used before a noun or adjective to form a compound meaning 'having more than one' or 'involving several' of what the base word describes — for example, a 'multiple-choice' test has many possible answers to choose from.
The final exam was a multiple-choice test with 50 questions.
期末考是 50 題的選擇題測驗。
multiple-choice — common compound adjective
Ilan applied for a multiple-entry visa so he could visit Japan several times.
Ilan 申請了多次入境簽證，這樣他就可以多次前往日本。
This multi-purpose tool can cut wood, open bottles, and tighten screws.
這把多功能工具可以砍木頭、開瓶子和鎖螺絲。
The government built a multiple-use facility that serves as a school and a community centre.
政府興建了一座多用途設施，兼作學校和社區中心。
文法句型
multiple- + noun (hyphenated compound)
multiple- + noun (as single word)
用法筆記
A productive prefix: new compounds can be formed as needed (e.g. 'multiple-outlet store', 'multiple-source funding'). When the prefix form 'multi-' is used instead ('multi-purpose', 'multi-entry'), it is typically written without a hyphen in common compounds. The 'multiple-' form is less common as a productive prefix than 'multi-', but appears in institutional or bureaucratic language (e.g. 'multiple-use building', 'multiple-entry visa').