enlarge

[en-lahrj]

verb (used with object)

enlarged, enlarging 

1. to make larger; increase in extent, bulk, or quantity; add to.

   They enlarged the house by adding an east wing.

   Synonyms: dilate, amplify, magnify, extend
   Antonyms: diminish

2. to increase the capacity or scope of; expand.

   We've decided to enlarge the company.

   Antonyms: contract

3. to make (a photographic print) larger than the negative by projecting the negative's image through a lens onto photographic printing paper.

verb (used without object)

enlarged, enlarging 

1. to grow larger; increase; expand.

2. to speak or write at large; expatiate.

   to enlarge upon a point.

enlarge

/ ɪnˈlɑːdʒ /

verb

1. to make or grow larger in size, scope, etc; increase or expand

2. (tr) to make (a photographic print) of a larger size than the negative

3. (intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) in greater detail; expatiate (on)

Other Word Forms

• enlargeable adjective
• enlargedly adverb
• enlargedness noun
• enlargingly adverb
• preenlarge verb (used with object)
• reenlarge verb
• unenlarged adjective
• unenlarging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlarge¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargir, enlarger. See en- ¹, large

Example Sentences

They were looking at “scurfy” mice; males are unexpectedly born with flaky skin and enlarged spleens and only live for a few weeks, because their organs are attacked by their own immune cells.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He was, for example, appalled at the force-feeding of ducks and geese to enlarge their livers to produce foie gras.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I'm very sorry about that, it's so frustrating," said the King, who has encouraged men to get checked, after he had been diagnosed and had a procedure for an enlarged prostate last year.

Read more on BBC

Peggy, on the other hand, was enlarged by her time away; she likes to demonstrate a few words of Arabic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All cells there have the inmate’s name and photo posted outside, but staffers had to take the additional step of enlarging Girardi’s photo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• augment 
• boost 
• broaden 
• build 
• develop 
• expand 
• extend 
• grow 
• inflate 
• lengthen 
• magnify 
• multiply 
• swell 
• widen 

When To Use

What are other ways to say enlarge?

To enlarge something is to make it larger or to add to it. How does enlarge differ from increase and augment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.