proliferate

Language: en

🇺🇸 /proʊˈlɪfɜrˌeɪt/

📖 Definitions

  1. verb
    To increase rapidly in number or quantity; to multiply or spread at a fast rate.; To reproduce or grow rapidly, especially in biology, referring to the rapid division of cells.; To produce new growth or offspring; to bud or sprout abundantly.

🔗 Details

Word forms

3rd sing.: proliferates Past: proliferated Past part.: proliferated Pres part.: proliferating

Collocations

proliferate rapidlyproliferate widelycells proliferateproliferate throughoutproliferate across the globe

Derivatives

proliferationproliferativeproliferatorproliferousantiproliferative

Synonyms

multiplymushroomsnowballburgeonspreadescalateballoon

Antonyms

decreasediminishdwindledecline

Commonly confused

prolific
EN: 'Prolific' is an adjective meaning highly productive or fertile; 'proliferate' is a verb meaning to increase rapidly in number.
propagate
EN: 'Propagate' emphasizes deliberate spreading or reproduction (e.g., ideas, plants); 'proliferate' emphasizes rapid, often uncontrolled increase.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the root: Latin 'proles' (offspring) + 'ferre' (to bear). Do not confuse the spelling with 'prolific', which shares the same root but has a different suffix.

💬 Examples

  1. Social media platforms have proliferated over the past decade.

  2. Cancer cells proliferate uncontrollably, forming tumors in affected tissues.

  3. The algae proliferated in the warm, nutrient-rich waters of the lake.