View synonyms for expand

expand

[ ik-spand ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.:
Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.
Synonyms: enlarge, swell, extend
to spread or stretch out; unfold:
A bird expands its wings.
to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop:
to expand a short story into a novel.
Mathematics.
1. to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors. Compare factor ( def 10 ).
2. to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind:
  to expand a function in a power series.

verb (used without object)

to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc.:
Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.
to spread out; unfold; develop:
The buds had not yet expanded.
to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually followed by on or upon ):
to expand on a statement.

expand

/ ɪkˈspænd /

verb

to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
introften foll byon to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
intr to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
maths to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms

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Derived Forms

exˈpandable, adjective

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Other Words From

ex·panda·ble ex·pandi·ble adjective
ex·panda·bili·ty ex·pandi·bili·ty noun
nonex·panding adjective
over·ex·pand verb
preex·pand verb (used with object)
reex·pand verb
self-ex·panding adjective
super·ex·pand verb
unex·panda·ble adjective
unex·panding adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of expand¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English expanden, from Latin expandere “to spread out,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + pandere “to extend, stretch”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of expand¹

C15: from Latin expandere to spread out, from pandere to spread, extend

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Synonym Study

Expand, dilate, distend, inflate imply becoming larger and filling more space. To expand is to spread out, usually in every direction: to expand one's chest. To dilate is especially to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies: to dilate the pupils of the eyes. To distend is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion: to distend an artery. To inflate is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.

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Example Sentences

He once experimented with dressing as “Hilda the Wicked Witch” as a way to expand his business to Halloween.

From The Daily Beast

It also provides a critical opportunity to expand the ranks of the middle class.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Grenci, who agrees, also saw it as a way to expand her own knowledge on the subculture and what makes it so appealing.

From The Daily Beast

The center for Justice and Accountability in San Francisco, and other human rights organizations went to work to expand the law.

From The Daily Beast

And the CENTCOM commander said that ISIS figures could expand dramatically based on the nature of its actions.

From The Daily Beast

His slight, thin, rather graceless figure seemed suddenly to expand, even to grow taller.

From Project Gutenberg

In one, which occurs not infrequently, a thickened arm is made to expand into something like a fan-shaped hand, as in Fig. 18.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the increase of temperature that augments the elasticity of a fluid confined, would expand it in the same degree.

From Project Gutenberg

Those modern marine engines use about the same steam pressure and expand about in the same proportion.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. May looked at his son, and saw his face clear up, his brow expand, and his lips unclose with admiration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

EXP expanded

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