Expand — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈspand/ ex·pand

Meaning & Definition of Expand

Expand (verb)

  1. to open up, unfold
  2. to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of, enlarge
  3. to express at length or in greater detail

Expand (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express more fully and in greater detail

    "an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book"

    similar: amplify, develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), flesh (out)
    related: add (to), complement, supplement, discourse, expatiate, ramble, run on
    opposite: abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten
    near: compress, contract, outline, summarize, sum up

  2. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

  3. to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area

    "a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests"

    similar: extend, fan (out), flare (out), open, outspread, outstretch, spread (out), stretch (out), unfold, unfurl
    related: overspread
    opposite: close, contract, fold
    near: compact, compress, condense, reduce

  4. to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

    "water expands when it becomes frozen"

    similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
    related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak
    opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expand

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expand:

amplify, develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), flesh (out), accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up, fan (out), flare (out), open, outspread, outstretch, spread (out), stretch (out), unfold, unfurl, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Expand

Words with the opposite meaning of Expand:

abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from), close, contract, fold, recede, wane

Related Words for Expand

complement, supplement, discourse, expatiate, ramble, run on, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, amass

Near Antonyms of Expand

compress, outline, summarize, sum up, curtail, constrict, cut back, retrench, compact

Word Forms of Expand

Inflections: expanded, expanding, expands

Derived words: expandability (noun), expandable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Expand

Middle English expaunden, from Latin expandere, from ex- + pandere to spread fathom

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Expand

Words & Phrases Containing Expand

expand on/upon

Frequently Asked Questions about Expand

What does "Expand" mean?

"Expand" means to open up, unfold. As a verb, it is defined as: to open up, unfold. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Expand"?

Other words for "Expand" include amplify, develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), flesh (out), accelerate and add (to). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expand" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expand"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expand". Common alternatives include amplify, develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), flesh (out), accelerate, add (to), aggrandize and augment.

What is the opposite of "Expand"?

Antonyms of "Expand" include abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten, abate, decrease, de-escalate and diminish. Near antonyms include compress, outline, summarize and sum up.

How do you use "Expand" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expand" in a sentence: "an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book"; "we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding"; "a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests".

Is "Expand" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expand" is a verb.

Is "Expand" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Expand" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Expand"?

"Expand" is pronounced /ik-ˈspand/ and divided into syllables as ex·pand.