multimillionaire

UK: ˌmʌltiˌmɪljəˈneə | US: ˌmʌltiˌmɪljəˈner

Definition

  1. n. a person whose wealth amounts to many millions (of dollars, pounds, etc.).

Structure
multi <many>million <unit of one million>aire <noun suffix denoting person>
Etymology

The word "multimillionaire" combines three morphemes:

  1. "Multi-" (from Latin multus, meaning "many") signifies abundance.
  2. "Million" (from Old Italian millione, based on Latin mille, "thousand") refers to the numerical unit.
  3. "-aire" (a French-derived suffix, as in "millionaire") indicates a person associated with the root term.
    The term emerged in the late 19th century, reflecting the growing need to describe individuals with wealth far exceeding a single million. Its structure mirrors "millionaire" but amplifies the scale with "multi-," emphasizing vast financial success.
Examples

  1. The tech entrepreneur became a multimillionaire before turning thirty.

  2. She donated a portion of her multimillionaire fortune to charity.

  3. Many athletes in professional sports end up as multimillionaires.

  4. The film’s success transformed its lead actor into a multimillionaire overnight.

  5. Multimillionaires often invest in diverse portfolios to grow their wealth further.