amplify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make larger, greater, or stronger; enlarge; extend.
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to expand in stating or describing, as by details or illustrations; clarify by expanding.
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Electricity. to increase the amplitude of; cause amplification in.
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Archaic. to exaggerate.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr) to increase in size, extent, effect, etc, as by the addition of extra material; augment; enlarge; expand
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electronics to produce amplification of (electrical signals); increase the amplitude of (signals)
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(tr) to exaggerate
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(intr) to expand or enlarge a speech, narrative, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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amplifysimple
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amplifiessimple
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have amplifiedperfect
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has amplifiedperfect
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are amplifyingprogressive
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am amplifyingprogressive
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is amplifyingprogressive
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have been amplifyingperfect progressive
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has been amplifyingperfect progressive
Past
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amplifiedsimple
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had amplifiedperfect
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was amplifyingprogressive
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were amplifyingprogressive
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had been amplifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of amplify
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English amplifyen, from Middle French amplifier, from Latin amplificāre “to increase, augment”; equivalent to ample + -ify
Explanation
The verb amplify means to crank up the volume. Speakers amplify, or raise, the volume of the noise coming through a microphone so that everyone at the rock show can hear. Amplify comes from the Old French word amplifier meaning "to enlarge or expand." It refers to making a sound “expand,” but it can also crank up something like a disagreement — if you spread rumors, you might amplify an argument. It can “enlarge” an idea — if you don't realize how bad your health is, your doctor might amplify your test results by explaining them to you in simple, and possibly frightening terms.
Vocabulary lists containing amplify
Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
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The Hate U Give
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This Week In Words: April 5–11, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As his wealth reached unprecedented heights, so did the reach and danger of the rhetoric he chose to amplify.
From Slate • Jun. 15, 2026
Laviolette will have to amplify players like Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke, each a talented 23-year-old with high ceilings.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Meanwhile, investors who chased cryptocurrencies when they were hot are still chasing assets showing upside momentum — using leverage to amplify those bets, and looking for markets with big price swings.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
"The structures and the material amplify each other."
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
“They’re all very upset,” said Abby, touching her temples with both hands to, once again, amplify her powers of mental telepathy.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
