manifold

play

adjective man·i·fold \ ˈma-nə-ˌfōld \

Definition of manifold

1 a :marked by diversity or variety

performs the manifold duties required of him
—J. H. Ferguson

b :many

the manifold details

2 :comprehending or uniting various features :multifarious

the romantic symphony, with its manifold melodic content
—P. H. Lang

3 :rightfully so-called for many reasons

a manifold liar

4 :consisting of or operating many of one kind combined

a manifold bellpull

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manifoldly

play \-ˌfōl(d)-lē\ adverb

—

manifoldness

play \-ˌfōl(d)-nəs\ noun

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Examples of manifold in a Sentence

The benefits of this approach are manifold.
the manifold attractions of that state make it an ideal destination for a family vacation

Recent Examples of manifold from the Web

These nomadic folks have scarcely a dollar among them, but their secrets are dark and manifold.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Girl From the North Country,’ Rolling Stones Gather Regrets," 26 July 2017
Quite a season; excellence abounding, manifold surprises.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "Theater Beat: Top plays of the season; Mark Rylance in Pittsburgh," 4 July 2017
If the economic, constitutional, and electoral problems are so manifold, the question then is — why now?

— luke mackle, Washington Post, "Scotland’s leaders want another independence referendum. Scottish voters don’t.," 26 Apr. 2017
Early adopters like fashion designers, a Kanye West henchman, pro skaters, a model or three — all the nocturnal critters who sniff out the latest hot spot — were manifold.

— ben detrick, New York Times, "No Guest List at This Lower East Side Hot Spot," 11 Apr. 2017
The manifold cipher of the sea frames the shores of Whitman’s poetry.

— jeffrey yang, The New Yorker, "The “Sea-Salt” in Walt Whitman’s Poetry," 22 Mar. 2017
When the waiter brings our food and fluffs his lines describing its rare and manifold parts, the manager laughs and puts his arm around him.

— rachel cusk, Condé Nast Traveler, "Novelist Rachel Cusk on the Complicated Romance of the Maldives," 2 Feb. 2017
Eaton Industrial Corp. in Irvine: $40,000 for manifold valve assemblies. •

— Orange County Register, "Biz briefly: 10 O.C. firms awarded more than $12 million in federal contracts; GRC relocates to Santa Ana," 2 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manifold.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of manifold

Middle English, from Old English manigfeald, from manig many + -feald -fold

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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manifold Synonyms

Synonyms

divers, multifarious, myriad

Related Words

multiform, multiple, multiplex, multitudinous; heterogeneous, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, sundry, various; different, diverse, unlike, varied

Near Antonyms

homogeneous, homogenous, monolithic, unmixed, unvaried; alike, identical, same; distinct, distinctive, individual, separate; alone, lone, only, sole, solitary; singular, unique

manifold

adverb

Definition of manifold

:many times :a great deal

will increase your blessings manifold

Origin and Etymology of manifold

see ¹manifold

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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manifold

verb

Definition of manifold

transitive verb

1 :to make manifold :multiply

2 :to make several or many copies of

intransitive verb

:to make several or many copies

Recent Examples of manifold from the Web

The challenges for Takata’s acquirer will be manifold.

— dawn mccarty, Bloomberg.com, "Roiled by Air-Bag Crisis, Takata Files for Bankruptcy Protection," 25 June 2017
Trump uses Iranian threat as leverage, Iraq okays output cuts through March 2018, and manifold political uncertainties buffet the pound.

— luke kawa, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 22 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of manifold

see ¹manifold

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

manifold

noun

Definition of manifold

:something that is manifold: such as

a :a whole that unites or consists of many diverse elements

the manifold of aspirations, passions, frustrations
—Harry Slochower

b :a pipe fitting with several lateral outlets for connecting one pipe with others; especially :a fitting on an internal combustion engine that directs a fuel and air mixture to or receives the exhaust gases from several cylinders

c :set 21

d :a topological space in which every point has a neighborhood that is homeomorphic to the interior of a sphere in Euclidean space of the same number of dimensions

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