enlarge

[ en-lahrj ]

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.

   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)

, en·larged, en·larg·ing.

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)

Derived Forms

• enˈlargeable, adjective

Other Words From

• en·largea·ble adjective
• en·larg·ed·ly [en-, lahr, -jid-lee, -, lahrjd, -], adverb
• en·larged·ness noun
• en·larging·ly adverb
• preen·large verb (used with object) preenlarged preenlarging
• reen·large verb reenlarged reenlarging
• unen·larged adjective
• unen·larging 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

The next time you have a group chat, all the thumbnails will stay the same size, though you can still double-tap on a tile to enlarge it.

From Popular-Science

President Eisenhower protected ANWR in 1960, and President Carter enlarged it to its current size in 1980.

From Outside Online

A look underground revealed that workers rebuilt the house, enlarging its gardens considerably after a massive earthquake in 62 CE.

From MIT Technology Review

The revised plans elevate roadways by as much as five feet, enlarge detention ponds, increase storm-water pipelines, and strengthen bridges.

From Washington Post

Their perspectives enlarged by profound loss and empathy, they built a more just, collective future.

From Washington Post

The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents.

From The Daily Beast

Find a lonely voice and enlarge its significance—“one expert thinks there are no true human tails.”

From The Daily Beast

There are no elections this year so, so for the moment the government does not need to enlarge its popular base.

From The Daily Beast

God shall enlarge Japheth,
 And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem;
 And Canaan shall be his servant.

From The Daily Beast

Economists should therefore help to enlarge the time horizon, as a contribution to the public good.

From The Daily Beast

I should love to enlarge on these things, but a sense of proportion and propriety restrains my pen.

From Project Gutenberg

The value and use of guano are now so well understood, that it is scarcely necessary to enlarge on the mode of its application.

From Project Gutenberg

It is well, however, to enlarge our view as to the age of the earth by such efforts as have just been indicated.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us enlarge our minds to grasp it, that we may, to some extent at least, conceive its greatness and appreciate its beauties.

From Project Gutenberg

Tessa ran back to her pansies; Mrs. Wadsworth had found a theme to enlarge upon for the next half hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• add to
• 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.