multimodal
gb/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl/ us/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
C1
property
1
multiple information modes
able to use more than one kind of information, for example words, pictures, and sound
Usage pattern:
multimodal [system/model/interface/content/data]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse multimodal with multilingual: multilingual is about multiple languages. The spelling multi-modal also appears, but multimodal is more common.
Synonyms
multi-channel (uses several channels; may not imply different types of information)
|
multisensory (focuses on senses such as sight, hearing, and touch)
|
cross-modal (emphasizes connections between different modes)
Antonyms
unimodal (using or involving only one mode)
|
single-channel (using only one channel of communication or input)
Collocations
multimodal AI
|multimodal model
|multimodal system
|multimodal interface
|multimodal communication
|multimodal content
|multimodal data
|multimodal search
|multimodal input
|multimodal interaction
Themes
technology
|artificial_intelligence
|communication
|media
|education
Examples
- The new assistant is multimodal, so it can answer questions about both text and images.
- The app offers a multimodal interface with voice commands, touch controls, and visual feedback.
- Multimodal data can help the system understand a scene more accurately than text alone.
Learner examples
- This multimodal tool can read text and look at pictures.
- The website uses text, video, and audio, so it is multimodal.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
several methods combined
using several different ways to do something or solve a problem
Usage pattern:
a multimodal [approach/strategy/treatment] to [something]
Common mistake:
Multimodal usually suggests different methods working together, not simply repeating the same method several times.
Synonyms
multi-pronged (more informal; emphasizes attacking a problem in several ways)
|
integrated (emphasizes that the methods are coordinated)
|
combined (broader and less technical)
Antonyms
single-method (using only one method)
|
one-dimensional (lacking variety or depth in approach)
Collocations
multimodal approach
|multimodal strategy
|multimodal treatment
|multimodal therapy
|multimodal intervention
|multimodal program
|multimodal assessment
|multimodal pain management
|multimodal care
|multimodal rehabilitation
Themes
medicine
|education
|planning
|research
Examples
- Doctors recommended a multimodal treatment plan that included medication, exercise, and counseling.
- The school uses a multimodal approach to reading, combining discussion, visuals, and practice.
- A multimodal safety strategy may include better design, training, and monitoring.
Learner examples
- The team used a multimodal plan to solve the problem.
- Her treatment was multimodal because it used medicine and therapy.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
multiple transport modes
using more than one kind of transport, such as a train and a bus
Usage pattern:
multimodal [transport/network/hub/journey/shipping]
Common mistake:
Use multimodal before a transport noun. In everyday speech, people more often say “I used several forms of transport” than “I was multimodal.”
Synonyms
intermodal (often emphasizes transfers or connections between transport modes, especially in freight)
|
mixed-mode (less formal; suggests a mixture of transport types)
|
multi-mode (direct but less standard as an adjective in this context)
Antonyms
single-mode (using only one form of transport)
|
car-only (limited to cars rather than several transport options)
Collocations
multimodal transport
|multimodal transportation
|multimodal network
|multimodal hub
|multimodal journey
|multimodal trip
|multimodal shipping
|multimodal freight
|multimodal corridor
|multimodal mobility
Themes
transport
|travel
|logistics
|urban_planning
|business
Examples
- The city is investing in a multimodal network that connects buses, trains, bike lanes, and walking paths.
- The company uses multimodal shipping to move goods by rail and truck.
- A good multimodal hub makes it easy to switch from the train to a bus or bike.
Learner examples
- My trip was multimodal: I took a train and then a bus.
- The city wants more multimodal transport options.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
several statistical peaks
having more than one high point or most common value in a graph or data set
Usage pattern:
a multimodal [distribution/data set/histogram]
Common mistake:
In statistics, a mode is a most frequent value or a peak, not a method or style.
Synonyms
multi-peaked (more descriptive and easier to understand)
|
bimodal (only when there are exactly two modes or peaks)
|
polymodal (rare and very technical)
Antonyms
unimodal (having one mode or peak)
|
monomodal (technical term for having one mode)
Collocations
multimodal distribution
|multimodal data
|multimodal data set
|multimodal histogram
|multimodal population
|multimodal posterior
|multimodal likelihood
|multimodal sample
Themes
statistics
|data_science
|mathematics
|research
Examples
- The histogram is multimodal, with one peak for younger buyers and another for older buyers.
- A multimodal distribution can suggest that the data come from several different groups.
- The model had trouble fitting the multimodal pattern in the survey results.
Learner examples
- The graph is multimodal because it has two clear peaks.
- This data set is not simple; it is multimodal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
multimodal
IPA
GB/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl/
US/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl/
Syllables & stress
mul - timod - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mul)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: multimodal
- Comparative: multimodaler
- Superlative: multimodalest
Expressions
multimodal ai
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl ˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
technical
AI using several data types
AI that can work with different kinds of information, like words, pictures, and sound
Examples
- Multimodal AI can summarize a photo and then answer spoken questions about it.
- The company added multimodal AI features so users can search with images as well as text.
- Developers are using multimodal AI to connect video, speech, and written instructions.
multimodal communication
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl kəmjˌunɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
communication using several modes
communication that uses different forms, like words, pictures, and gestures
Examples
- Online lessons often rely on multimodal communication, combining slides, speech, chat, and video.
- Emojis, images, and short videos have made everyday messaging more multimodal.
- The study looked at multimodal communication in face-to-face meetings, including speech and gesture.
multimodal distribution
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl dˌɪstɹəbjˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
distribution with several peaks
a graph or data pattern with more than one main peak
Examples
- The income data formed a multimodal distribution, suggesting several distinct groups.
- A multimodal distribution may be difficult to summarize with a single average.
- The graph showed a multimodal distribution rather than one smooth peak.
multimodal learning
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl lˈɚnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
teaching through several modes
learning with different kinds of materials and activities, not just one
Examples
- The course supports multimodal learning with videos, readings, quizzes, and group projects.
- Multimodal learning can help students who understand ideas better through images or practice.
- The museum created a multimodal learning experience with audio guides, touch screens, and live demonstrations.
multimodal model
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl mˈɑdəl/
fixed phrase
technical
model using several data types
a computer model that can use different kinds of data, like text and pictures
Examples
- The multimodal model can describe an image, read the text in it, and answer questions.
- Researchers trained a multimodal model on pairs of videos and captions.
- The product team chose a multimodal model because customers wanted voice and image search.
multimodal pain management
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl pˈeɪn mˈænɪd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
pain treatment using several methods
pain treatment that uses more than one method
Examples
- After surgery, the hospital used multimodal pain management to reduce the patient’s need for opioids.
- Her plan for back pain included multimodal pain management with exercise, medication, and counseling.
- Many clinics recommend multimodal pain management for long-term pain conditions.
multimodal transport
1/mˈʌltɪmoʊdəl tɹˈænspɔɹt/
fixed phrase
technical
transport using several modes
transport that combines different ways of traveling, such as bus and train
Examples
- The new station is designed to support multimodal transport, with rail, buses, bike parking, and pedestrian access.
- Multimodal transport can reduce the need for private car trips in busy cities.
- The logistics provider arranged multimodal transport by ship, rail, and truck.