enlarge
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make larger; increase in extent, bulk, or quantity; add to.
They enlarged the house by adding an east wing.
- Antonyms:
- diminish
-
to increase the capacity or scope of; expand.
We've decided to enlarge the company.
- Antonyms:
- contract
-
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)
-
to grow larger; increase; expand.
-
to speak or write at large; expatiate.
to enlarge upon a point.
verb
-
to make or grow larger in size, scope, etc; increase or expand
-
(tr) to make (a photographic print) of a larger size than the negative
-
(intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) in greater detail; expatiate (on)
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- enlargeable adjective
- enlargedly adverb
- enlargedness noun
- enlargingly adverb
- preenlarge verb (used with object)
- reenlarge verb
- unenlarged adjective
- unenlarging adjective
Etymology
Origin of enlarge
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargir, enlarger. See en- 1, large
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.
When she looked up, the magnifying glass enlarged her right eye, giving her the terrifying look of a cyclops.
From Literature
“A topographical map. It’s one of the ones from yesterday, but my dad enlarged it at his work.”
From Literature
He says when he headed IFAW’s law-enforcement efforts in southern Africa he warned the group that translocated elephants would escape their new home, which didn’t have enough water and vegetation to support the enlarged herds.
Further CT and MRI scans revealed an enlarged spleen and, in September 2025, she was diagnosed with myelofibrosis.
From BBC
It made a satisfying thunk and the photo with the young Dr. Achebe enlarged.
From Literature
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.
