Meaning of expand in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ɪkˈspænd/

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  1. Verb

    expand

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin expandere‘to spread out’, from ex-‘out’ + pandere‘to spread’

    Definitions

    1. extend in one or more directions

    Examples

    • « The dough expands »

    Antonyms

  2. 2. become larger in size or volume or quantity

    Examples

    • « his business expanded rapidly »
  3. 3. make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity

    Examples

    • « expand the house by adding another wing »
  4. 4. grow stronger

    Examples

    • « The economy was booming »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. exaggerate or make bigger

    Examples

    • « The charges were inflated »
  6. 6. add details, as to an account or idea

    Examples

    • « clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing »
    • « She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  7. 7. expand the influence of

    Examples

    • « The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent »

Famous quotes

  • « I strongly support the call to greatly expand our human intelligence capability to penetrate al Qaeda and gather critical intelligence to prevent terrorist attacks on our homeland. »
    Jim Ramstad
  • « Also, when you escape a Communist regime, you treasure liberty and you understand that as government and state expand, liberty must contract. »
    Dennis Prager
  • « I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that's not what America's about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don't contract them. »
    Barack Obama
  • « Gratitude helps you to grow and expand gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. »
    Eileen Caddy
  • « In college I never realized the opportunities available to a pro athlete. I've been given the chance to meet all kinds of people, to travel and expand my financial capabilities, to get ideas and learn about life, to create a world apart from basketball. »
    Michael Jordan

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