verb

expand

to expand, to enlarge, to extend

The company plans to expand its business.

The company plans to expand its business.

Metal expands when it is heated.

Metal expands when it is heated.

He expanded on his original idea.

He expanded on his original idea.

((sth.)) to make (sth.) bigger The company will expand its operations.

((on sth.)) to give more details about (sth.) Can you expand on that point?

Synonyms: enlarge, extend, broaden; Antonyms: contract, shrink, reduce

From Latin 'expandere', from 'ex-' (out) + 'pandere' (to spread). Literally means 'to spread out'.

Think of a balloon. When you add air, it 'expands' or spreads out.

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