proliferate
gb/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt/ us/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt/
C1
English
elszaporodik, elterjed, szaporodik, proliferál, elterjeszt, megsokszoroz
VERB
C1
1
elszaporodik
B2
elterjed
B1
Usage pattern:
[things] proliferate (in/around/throughout/across [place])
Cheap imitations began to proliferate online within weeks of the product launch.
Olcsó utánzatok kezdtek elszaporodni az interneten a termék bevezetése után néhány héten belül.
As the city expanded, informal settlements proliferated on the outskirts.
Ahogy a város terjeszkedett, a peremén elszaporodtak az informális telepek.
Misinformation can proliferate quickly during a crisis.
Learner examples
In spring, weeds proliferate in the garden.
Tavasszal elszaporodik a gyom a kertben.
Rumors proliferated after the announcement.
A bejelentés után gyorsan elterjedtek a pletykák.
Common mistake:
Often used intransitively ("problems proliferated"); learners sometimes force a direct object where "spread" or "increase" would be more natural.
Meaning
increase rapidly in number
Collocations
proliferate rapidly
|proliferate quickly
|proliferate across the country
|proliferate throughout the city
|proliferate online
|proliferate on social media
|proliferate in recent years
|proliferate in number
|proliferate in the market
|proliferate in response to demand
Synonyms
spread (Emphasizes reaching more places or people.)
|
multiply (Emphasizes becoming more numerous.)
|
mushroom (Suggests sudden, often surprising growth.)
|
increase (More general and less vivid.)
Antonyms
decline (Become fewer or less common over time.)
|
dwindle (Decrease gradually to a small number.)
|
die out (Disappear completely after declining.)
Themes
society
|business
|technology
|media
|science
Definition
If something proliferates, it increases very fast or spreads to many places.
To increase quickly in number, amount, or extent, or to appear and spread in many places.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
2
szaporodik
B1
proliferál
C1
Usage pattern:
[cells/tissue] proliferate (in [place/conditions])
Under the microscope, the cells proliferated steadily over several days.
A mikroszkóp alatt a sejtek több napon át egyenletesen szaporodtak.
The drug is designed to stop cancer cells from proliferating.
A gyógyszert úgy tervezték, hogy megállítsa a rákos sejtek szaporodását.
In damaged tissue, new cells proliferate to repair the wound.
Learner examples
The cells proliferated in the lab dish.
A sejtek a laboratóriumi csészében szaporodtak.
Common mistake:
In medical contexts, "proliferate" does not mean "spread to other organs" (that is often described as "metastasize").
Meaning
cells multiply and grow
Collocations
cells proliferate
|tumor cells proliferate
|proliferate in culture
|proliferate rapidly
|proliferate uncontrollably
|proliferate in response to signals
|proliferate under stress
Synonyms
multiply (Common general word for increasing in number.)
|
divide (Highlights the mechanism of cell division.)
Antonyms
differentiate (In cell biology, stop dividing and become specialized.)
|
degenerate (Deteriorate rather than grow.)
Themes
biology
|medicine
|health
|science
Definition
In biology, if cells proliferate, they make more cells and increase in number.
To grow and increase in number by producing new cells, especially through cell division.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
elterjeszt
B2
megsokszoroz
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] proliferates [something]
The platform’s design can unintentionally proliferate false stories.
A platform kialakítása akaratlanul is elősegítheti a hamis történetek elterjedését.
Officials introduced new rules to prevent companies from proliferating risky financial products.
A tisztviselők új szabályokat vezettek be, hogy megakadályozzák a cégeket abban, hogy kockázatos pénzügyi termékeket terjesszenek el széles körben.
Cheap printing helped proliferate political pamphlets across the region.
Learner examples
The new app helped proliferate fake reviews.
Az új alkalmazás hozzájárult a hamis értékelések elterjedéséhez.
Common mistake:
This transitive use is much less common than the intransitive one; in everyday English, people often prefer "spread" or "increase" instead.
Meaning
cause something to increase fast
Collocations
proliferate myths
|proliferate misinformation
|proliferate copies
|proliferate weapons
|proliferate content
|proliferate opportunities
Synonyms
spread (More common; focuses on distribution rather than sheer increase.)
|
fuel (Suggests helping something grow indirectly.)
|
promote (Suggests actively encouraging growth or adoption.)
Antonyms
curb (Act to limit growth or spread.)
|
contain (Keep from spreading beyond limits.)
|
reduce (Make the amount or number smaller.)
Themes
business
|politics
|media
Definition
To proliferate something is to make it increase or spread quickly.
To cause something to increase rapidly in number or to spread widely.
Grammar
Dictionary form
proliferate
IPA
GB/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt/
US/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
pro - lif - er - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lif)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: proliferate
- 3rd Person Singular: proliferates
- Present Participle: proliferating
- Past: proliferated
Word family
Forms
proliferates
verb
proliferating
verb
proliferated
verb
Core family
proliferation
noun C1
Related words
prolific
adjective C1
prolifically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
nonproliferation
noun C2
Advanced or less common
proliferative
adjective
antiproliferative
adjective
Expressions
proliferate like rabbits
1/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt lˈaɪk ɹˈæbɪts/
idiom
informal
increase very quickly in number
To grow in number very fast.
Examples
- In the warm weather, mosquitoes proliferate like rabbits near the lake.
- Once the discount code leaked, copycat websites proliferated like rabbits.
Learner examples
- After the rain, the weeds proliferated like rabbits.
proliferate like wildfire
1/pɹoʊlˈɪfɚˌeɪt lˈaɪk wˈaɪldfˌaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
spread extremely quickly
To spread very fast.
Examples
- The rumor proliferated like wildfire after the video was posted.
- During the outage, incorrect instructions proliferated like wildfire in group chats.
Learner examples
- The news proliferated like wildfire online.