magnify

[ mag-nuh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: magnifymagnified on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),mag·ni·fied, mag·ni·fy·ing.
  1. to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.

  2. to make greater in actual size; enlarge: to magnify a drawing in preparing for a fresco.

  1. to cause to seem greater or more important; attribute too much importance to; exaggerate: to magnify one's difficulties.

  2. to make more exciting; intensify; dramatize; heighten: The playwright magnified the conflict to get her point across.

  3. Archaic. to extol; praise: to magnify the Lord.

verb (used without object),mag·ni·fied, mag·ni·fy·ing.
  1. to increase or be able to increase the apparent or actual size of an object.

Origin of magnify

1
1350–1400; Middle English magnifien<Latin magnificāre.See magni-, -fy

Other words for magnify

Opposites for magnify

Other words from magnify

  • mag·ni·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • o·ver·mag·ni·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·mag·ni·fied, o·ver·mag·ni·fy·ing.
  • re·mag·ni·fy, verb (used with object), re·mag·ni·fied, re·mag·ni·fy·ing.
  • un·mag·ni·fied, adjective
  • un·mag·ni·fy·ing, adjective

Words Nearby magnify

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

How to use magnify in a sentence

  • He may have nothing to boast about himself, and his distorted mind may magnify the deeds of the younger man.

  • "Don't magnify my importance; but I shall always be your friend, Lawrence," she said, simply.

  • I thank and magnify the ever-blessed Trinity, who chose thee from all our race for this special privilege.

  • Dan's talents and his brilliant career at college all helped to magnify the importance of Bassett's latest move.

    A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith Nicholson
  • I magnify the child of vigor at this sacrifice, who shines under the heaven, the thoughtful Agni.

British Dictionary definitions for magnify

magnify

/ (ˈmæɡnɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied
  1. to increase, cause to increase, or be increased in apparent size, as through the action of a lens, microscope, etc

  2. to exaggerate or become exaggerated in importance: don't magnify your troubles

  1. (tr) rare to increase in actual size

  2. (tr) archaic to glorify

Origin of magnify

1
C14: via Old French from Latin magnificāre to praise; see magnific

Derived forms of magnify

  • magnifiable, 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