enlarge

[ en-lahrj ]
See synonyms for: enlargeenlargedenlarging on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),en·larged, en·larg·ing.
  1. to make larger; increase in extent, bulk, or quantity; add to: They enlarged the house by adding an east wing.

  2. to increase the capacity or scope of; expand: We've decided to enlarge the company.

  1. 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),en·larged, en·larg·ing.
  1. to grow larger; increase; expand.

  2. to speak or write at large; expatiate: to enlarge upon a point.

Origin of enlarge

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

Other words for enlarge

Opposites for enlarge

Other words from enlarge

  • en·large·a·ble, adjective
  • en·larg·ed·ly [en-lahr-jid-lee, -lahrjd-], /ɛnˈlɑr dʒɪd li, -ˈlɑrdʒd-/, adverb
  • en·larg·ed·ness, noun
  • en·larg·ing·ly, adverb
  • pre·en·large, verb (used with object), pre·en·larged, pre·en·larg·ing.
  • re·en·large, verb, re·en·larged, re·en·larg·ing.
  • un·en·larged, adjective
  • un·en·larg·ing, adjective

Words Nearby enlarge

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use enlarge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for enlarge

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

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

Derived forms of enlarge

  • enlargeable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012