Proliferate: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in formal or academic contexts when talking about the rapid growth or increase in numbers, particularly concerning cells, ideas, or technologies.

• During the 20th century, nuclear weapons proliferated rapidly
• Cancer cells can proliferate uncontrollably

This word is commonly used in everyday language and mathematics to describe the simple increase of numbers or quantities. It can refer to both literal and figurative multiplication.

• The bacteria can multiply within hours under the right conditions
• Two multiplied by three equals six

This is a versatile term that can be used in everyday conversation to describe the distribution or expansion of physical objects, substances, information, or even diseases. It can carry a neutral or negative connotation.

• News of the incident spread quickly across social media
• The flu spread through the community during winter

This term is often used in biology to discuss the breeding and production of plants or animals. It can also be used in a more abstract sense to talk about the spread of ideas or information.

• Gardeners often propagate plants by taking cuttings
• The government's propaganda was propagated through various media channels

Use in formal contexts to describe something that is rapidly increasing in number or amount, often in a widespread or uncontrolled manner.

• The use of smartphones has proliferated in recent years.
• Fake news can proliferate quickly on social media.

Used in contexts related to biology and nature when referring to living organisms creating offspring, or in general when describing the act of making a copy or duplicate of something.

• Many insects reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
• Artists often reproduce famous paintings for educational purposes.

Often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the process of making an exact copy or reproduction, usually of data, experiments, or biological entities.

• Scientists were able to replicate the results of the experiment.
• The virus is known to replicate rapidly in the human body.

Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to describe an increase in quantity, usually referring to a straightforward increase in numbers.

• The rabbits in the field have multiplied over the summer.
• We need to multiply the result by the number of samples.