Twofold: meaning, definitions and examples

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twofold

 

[ˈtuːfəʊld ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in mathematics

Having two parts or aspects.

Synonyms

double, dual, two-fold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
twofold

Used typically in formal or academic discussions to indicate something that has two parts or reasons.

  • Her responsibilities are twofold: managing the team and handling client relations.
  • The benefits of this program are twofold: improving health and reducing costs.
double

Commonly used in everyday language to indicate twice the amount or number of something.

  • I need a double espresso, please.
  • He earns double what I do.
dual

Often used in formal contexts to describe something that has two distinct, often complementary, parts.

  • She holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.
  • The car has a dual exhaust system.
two-fold

Less common in use and usually seen in written forms, especially within academic or formal contexts, similar to 'twofold'.

  • The project's objectives are two-fold: to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
  • The strategy has a two-fold purpose.

Examples of usage

  • It can be viewed as a twofold problem.
  • The concept has a twofold nature.
Context #2 | Adverb

in two ways or directions

In two ways or directions; doubly.

Synonyms

doubly, twice, two times.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
twofold

Mostly used in academic or formal contexts to indicate something has two parts or has doubled.

  • The benefits of the new policy are twofold: it saves money and improves efficiency
twice

Commonly used in everyday language to indicate that something happens two times.

  • I've seen that movie twice already; it's one of my favorites
doubly

Typically used in a context where something is increased or intensified in two ways or has double the impact.

  • She felt doubly rewarded for her hard work because she received a bonus and a promotion
two times

Used in casual or mathematical contexts to emphasize the exact number of occurrences or measurements.

  • I had to call him two times before he answered

Examples of usage

  • He is twofold stronger than before.
  • The tree split twofold.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'twofold' comes from Middle English, where it literally meant 'two times' or 'twice as much'.
  • The prefix 'two-' indicates a pair, while 'fold' relates to layers or times, combining to create the idea of doubling.
  • Similar constructions exist in other languages, highlighting the universal concept of doubling, such as 'doppelt' in German, meaning 'double'.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, twofold often describes a doubling effect, such as when multiplying a number by two.
  • The concept can be observed in geometry, where shapes like rectangles can have dimensions described as twofold (length and width).
  • Twofold relationships are essential in probability, where outcomes can be simplified into two potential results.

Cultural References

  • In literature and poetry, twofold themes often represent duality, such as love and pain, or light and darkness.
  • The idea of twofold meanings plays a significant role in idioms and proverbs, often offering wisest lessons through contrasting ideas.
  • Many cultures celebrate duality, such as yin and yang in Chinese philosophy, which illustrates balance between two opposing forces.

Psychology

  • In psychological studies, the twofold theory examines how emotions can simultaneously influence behavior in opposing ways.
  • Cognitive dissonance can create a twofold experience where individuals hold conflicting beliefs or attitudes.
  • The dual-process theory in psychology suggests people think in two ways: one fast and intuitive, the other slow and deliberate.

Science

  • In biology, twofold strategies are often found in evolutionary processes, where species may adapt in pairs to survive.
  • Physics frequently deals with twofold phenomena, such as light exhibiting both wave and particle properties.
  • The concept of twofold in genetics can refer to organisms with diploid cells, possessing two sets of chromosomes.

Translations

Translations of the word "twofold" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duplo

🇮🇳 दुगुना (duguna)

🇩🇪 zweifach

🇮🇩 dua kali lipat

🇺🇦 подвійний

🇵🇱 podwójny

🇯🇵 二重 (nijū)

🇫🇷 double

🇪🇸 doble

🇹🇷 iki kat

🇰🇷 두 배의 (du baeui)

🇸🇦 مضاعف (mudāʻaf)

🇨🇿 dvojnásobný

🇸🇰 dvojnásobný

🇨🇳 双倍的 (shuāng bèi de)

🇸🇮 dvojni

🇮🇸 tvíþættur

🇰🇿 екі есе (eki ese)

🇬🇪 ორმაგი (ormagi)

🇦🇿 ikiqat

🇲🇽 doble

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,157, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.