amplify

pronunciation

How to pronounce amplify in British English: UK [ˈæmplɪfaɪ] word uk audio image

How to pronounce amplify in American English: US [ˈæmplɪfaɪ] word us audio image

Verb:

increase in size, volume or significance
to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
exaggerate or make bigger
increase the volume of

Word Origin

amplify (v.): early 15c., "to enlarge or expand," from Middle French amplifier, from Latin amplificare "to enlarge," from amplificus "splendid," from amplus "large" (see ample) + the root of facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Meaning "augment in volume or amount" is from 1570s. Restriction of use to sound seems to have emerged in the electronic age, c. 1915, in reference to radio technology.

Synonym

v.

explain elaborate out detail descant unfold clarify flesh elucidate demonstrate illustrate explicate develop

v.

multiply up augment pile boost to heap add redouble cumulate accumulate crank beef

v.

dilate greater prolong make widen expand broaden protract increase extend greaten enlarge bigger elongate larger heighten lengthen prolongate

v.

accelerate up exaggerate deepen overcolour overstate overcharge magnify heighten hyperbolize overdraw strenghten step overdo intensify

Example

1. But such ubiquity will also amplify any adverse side-effects .

2. No one explains why governments should seek to amplify their own failures .

3. Coastal features can then either reduce or amplify some of the energy as the wave reaches land .

4. These amplify the effects of other factors .

5. A hurricane can amplify a wave to a few storeys .

more: >How to Use "amplify" with Example Sentences