five·fold I. \ˈfīv|fōld\adjective Etymology: Middle English fiffold, from Old English fīffeald, from fīf five + -feald -fold 1.: having five parts or aspects 2.: being five times as large, as great, or as many as some understood size, degree, or amount < a fivefold increase > II. adverb : to five times as much or as many : by five times < increased fivefold >