fourfold

adjective

four·​fold ˈfȯr-ˌfōld How to pronounce fourfold (audio) -ˈfōld How to pronounce fourfold (audio)
1
: being four times as great or as many
2
: having four units or members
fourfold
ˈfȯr-ˈfōld How to pronounce fourfold (audio)
adverb

Examples of fourfold in a Sentence

There has been a fourfold increase in membership this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This funding increase, which was a fourfold jump over previous levels, supported childcare staff with higher wages and allowed for other investments to improve the quality of care. — Caitlyn Collins, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 In October, the CDC said that cases of a different mold—a brain-attacking variety—have jumped fourfold in the past two years. — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 27 Oct. 2026 Yield improvements averaged fourfold and reached as high as 40-fold. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Systemic complexity can arise only when quaternary—fourfold—components of coherence continue to cohere. — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fourfold

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fēowerfeald, from fēower + -feald -fold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fourfold was before the 12th century

Rhymes for fourfold

See All Rhymes for fourfold

Browse Nearby Words

four-flusher
fourfold
four-foot
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Cite this Entry

“Fourfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourfold. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fourfold

adjective
four·​fold -ˌfōld How to pronounce fourfold (audio)
-ˈfōld
: being four times as great or as many
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