expand

verb
UK: /ɪkˈspænd/
US: /ɪkˈspænd/

  1. To become larger in size, number, or extent.

    1. The balloon will expand if you blow more air into it.
    2. The company plans to expand its operations into new international markets.

  2. To express something in more detail.

    1. Could you expand on that idea a little more please?
    2. The author decided to expand the short story into a full-length novel.

  3. To spread out or unfold.

    1. The bird began to expand its wings and take flight.
    2. As the dough rises it will expand to fill the available space in the bowl.

Synonyms

amplify elaborate enlarge develop dilate broaden grow increase extend
expand intransitive-verb

  1. To talk or write about something in detail; elaborate.

    1. Please expand on your answer.
    2. The teacher asked the student to expand on his initial idea for the project.
expand transitive-verb

  1. To make something bigger.

    1. We need to expand the garden.
    2. The city is planning to expand the public transportation system.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "expand" in English means: To become larger in size, number, or extent., To express something in more detail., To spread out or unfold..

The phonetic transcription of "expand" is /ɪkˈspænd/ in British English and /ɪkˈspænd/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "expand": amplify, elaborate, enlarge, develop, dilate, broaden, grow, increase, extend.

Example usage of "expand": "The balloon will expand if you blow more air into it.". More examples on the page.