expand

/iks'pænd/

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Word: Expand

Part of Speech: Verb

Basic Definition: To "expand" means to make something bigger, wider, or more extensive. You can think of it as growing in size, quantity, or even in ideas.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "expand" when talking about physical size, as well as when discussing ideas or concepts that are being developed further.
• It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Examples:

1. Physical Size: "We decided to expand the house by adding another room."
2. Ideas: "In her essay, she will expand on the main points to provide more detail."
3. Business: "The company plans to expand its operations to new countries."

Advanced Usage:

• Elaborate: To expand on an idea often means to clarify or add more details. For example, "The lecturer expanded on the theory by providing real-world examples."
• Influence: When used in a context like "expand influence," it refers to increasing power or control in a particular area, such as "The king expanded his influence across the region."

Word Variants:

• Expansion (noun): The process of expanding. Example: "The expansion of the universe is a topic in science."
• Expansive (adjective): Describing something that has a wide range or scope. Example: "He had an expansive view of the situation."

Different Meanings:

1. Physical Growth: Increasing in size or volume (e.g., "The balloon expands when you blow air into it").
2. Conceptual Growth: Adding more information or detail to an idea (e.g., "She expanded her argument by including statistics").
3. Business Growth: Increasing the scale or scope of a business (e.g., "The startup expanded rapidly after receiving funding").

Synonyms:

• Enlarge
• Broaden
• Increase
• Extend
• Amplify

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Expand on: To provide more details about something. Example: "Can you expand on your proposal?"
• Expand into: To move into a new area or market. Example: "The brand is looking to expand into international markets."

Summary:

To "expand" is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts—whether talking about physical dimensions, deepening ideas, or growing businesses.

Academic

Verb

1. expand the influence of
   • The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent
2. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
   • She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation
3. exaggerate or make bigger
   • The charges were inflated
4. grow vigorously
   • The deer population in this town is thriving
   • business is booming
5. make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity
   • expand the house by adding another wing
6. become larger in size or volume or quantity
   • his business expanded rapidly
7. extend in one or more directions
   • The dough expands

Synonyms

• extend
• elaborate
• lucubrate
• expatiate
• exposit
• enlarge
• flesh out
• expound
• dilate
• inflate
• blow up
• amplify
• boom
• thrive
• flourish
• spread out