expand
pronunciation
How to pronounce expand in British English:
UK [ɪkˈspænd]
How to pronounce expand in American English:
US [ɪkˈspænd]
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- Verb:
- extend in one or more directions
- become larger in size or volume or quantity
- make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity
- grow stronger
- exaggerate or make bigger
- add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
- expand the influence of
Word Origin
- expand
- expand: see spawn
- expand (v)
- early 15c., "spread out, open out, spread flat, extend widely;" also transitive, "cause to grow larger;" from Anglo-French espaundre, Old French espandre "spread, spread out, be spilled," and directly from Latin expandere "to spread out, unfold, expand," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + pandere "to spread, stretch" (see pace (n.)). Related: Expanded; expanding.
Example
- 1. They don 't expand our brain 's natural limits .
- 2. Why have these thai companies started to expand abroad ?
- 3. Now it focuses on helping chinese firms expand abroad .
- 4. Mr sverdlov wants to expand into developing countries .
- 5. This suggests that construction should expand further .