What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
multiple
Example
She has multiple jobs to make ends meet. [multiple: adjective]
Example
The answer is a multiple of 5. [multiple: noun]
Example
There are multiple ways to approach this problem. [multiple: adjective]
numerous
Example
There were numerous complaints about the noise. [numerous: adjective]
Example
The park has numerous walking trails. [numerous: adjective]
Example
The company received numerous applications for the job. [numerous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Numerous is more commonly used than multiple in everyday language. Numerous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while multiple is less common and often used in technical or mathematical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between multiple and numerous?
Multiple is generally considered more formal than numerous. It is often used in academic or technical writing, while numerous is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
