Multi-Task (noun): A concept, system, or role involving performing several tasks simultaneously or in close sequence. In technology and workplace language, it often refers to tools or roles that integrate multiple functions, enabling concurrent activity. The term emphasizes coordination, efficiency, and the ability to handle diverse responsibilities within a single framework.
"The project manager described the Multi-Task platform as a solution for streamlining workflows across departments."
"During the workshop, we tested a Multi-Task setup that combines data analysis with real-time reporting."
"Her job title is 'Multi-Task Specialist,' highlighting her ability to juggle design, coding, and client communication."
"The plugin advertises seamless Multi-Task operations, letting you manage emails, calendars, and notes from one dashboard."
Multi-Task is a compound formation from the prefix multi- meaning 'many' and the noun task, rooted in Old French tachque/tache (modern French tâche) from Latin tactus ‘touch, handle’, related to action or job. The term first appears in the late 20th century with the rise of computers and business lexicon to describe systems or roles that perform several tasks at once. In English, the pattern of combining a prefix with a noun to form a descriptive, usually hyphenated, compound became common as technology and management concepts grew: multi- signalizes plurality (many) and task communicates a discrete duty or piece of work. The hyphenation standard varies; in American usage, “multi-task” is frequently hyphenated, though “multitask” without hyphen appears in some contexts as a verb. The phrase gained prominence with the advent of multitasking software, productivity suites, and job descriptions that demanded cross-functional capabilities, especially in software development, project management, and operations. Over time, it has broadened beyond technology to general workflows, indicating the ability to perform several activities either concurrently or in rapid sequence. First known usage in corpora traces to professional settings in the 1980s–1990s, aligning with the growth of personal computers and corporate efficiency rhetoric, and has since become an everyday term in tech and business discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Multi-Task" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Multi-Task" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Multi-Task"
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Break it into two clear morphemes: /ˈmʌl.ti/ and /ˌtæsk/. The primary stress is on the first syllable of the compound: MUlti- for the noun, with a secondary emphasis on TASK in many contexts, yielding /ˈmʌl.tiˌtæsk/. Lip rounding is minimal; keep the /l/ clear, the /t/ crisp, and the final /sk/ cluster with a light aspirated release. Listen to native speech to feel the syllable boundary. Audio reference: refer to Pronounce and pronunciation videos for example cadence and rhythm.
Common errors include pronouncing it as three syllables (mul-ti-task) by inserting an extra vowel sound, or turning it into a heavy, drawn-out ‘multi-task’ with over-enunciated /ti/. Another frequent mistake is misplacing the primary stress on the second syllable, leading to /ˌmʌlˈtiːtæsk/ or similar. Correct approach: keep MUl- as the primary stressed segment and deliver -ti- lightly, then crisp /tæsk/ without extra vowel length. Practicing with minimal pairs and listening drills helps fix the rhythm quickly.
In US and UK, the initial syllable /ˈmʌl/ stays similar, but final /tæsk/ can vary slightly: US tends to be crisper with a shorter /æ/ and quicker /sk/ release; UK may have a slightly rounded /ɜː/ in some speakers when linking, and AU can show a flatter vowel quality in /æ/ and a more pronounced /t/ release in connected speech. Rhoticity is not a major factor for this word, but linking and timing can shift with dialectal rhythm, especially in rapid speech.
Because it is a two-morpheme compound with a cluster at the end. The hard part is the /t/ followed by /æsk/ in rapid speech, which can slide to /tæsk/ with reduced aspiration in fluent speech. The middle /ti/ often reduces in fast talk, potentially sounding like /ˈməlti tæsk/ if you’re not careful. Focus on the boundary between syllables and maintain crisp onset for /t/ and clear /æ/ in /tæsk/.
Yes. The word features a consonant cluster at the end (-tsk), which requires precise articulation to avoid a slurred /t/ into a following /s/ or /k/. It’s helpful to release the /t/ with a brief puff (aspiration) before the /s/ and then a clean /k/ closure. Also, maintaining the first syllable’s /l/ and /t/ clarity helps preserve the MF rhythm across the compound.
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