Dictionary

expand en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ɛkˈspænd/
• /ɪkˈspænd/

Etymology

Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandō (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”). Doublet of spawn.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
   • You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.
2. (transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
   • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight. 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
   • A flower expands its leaves.
   • When an ultrasonic beam is fired at the microcannons, the emulsion evaporates, expanding rapidly into gas. This creates enough force to push the nanobullets out at velocities reaching several metres per second. 2016 February 1, Tom Whipple, “Microcannon firing nanobullets: the future of targeted medicine”, in The Times:
   • This has evidently been encouraging, for the current winter timetable - not even with the benefit of summer holiday traffic - shows that the two trains each way have been expanded to four. 1961 October 14, “The winter timetables of British Railways: Scottish Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 594:
3. (transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
4. (transitive) To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • Use the binomial theorem to expand #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴.
5. (intransitive, of an expression) To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • The expression #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴ expands to x⁴#43;4x³#43;6x²#43;4x#43;1.
6. (transitive) To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number (which yields a fraction of equal value).
   • Expanding 4#47;7 by 3 gives 12#47;21.
7. (intransitive) To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.
   • This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table.
   • Many materials expand when heated.
8. (intransitive) To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.
9. (intransitive) To speak or write at length or in detail.
   • There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […]” 1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock:
   • He expanded on his plans for the business.
10. (intransitive) To feel generous or optimistic.
11. (transitive) In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to show the subentries of (an entry).

Forms

Antonyms

limit (to express at length or in detail) · collapse · contract (antonym(s) of “to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one”) · factor (antonym(s) of) · contract (antonym(s) of “to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of”) · limit (antonym(s) of “to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of”)

Deriveds

expander · hyperexpanded · misexpand · expandable · coexpand · expandability · overexpand · expand one's wings · expandingly · expandedness · unexpanded · underexpanded · expandingness · nonexpanded · reexpand · expandedly · nonexpanding · unexpanding · companding · semiexpanded

Relateds

expansile · expansion · expansive · expansible · expansionism · expanse

Synonyms

elaborate (to express at length or in detail) · unfold (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · expand on (to express at length or in detail) · spread (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · open out (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · enlarge (to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · spread out (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one)

Translations (233)

he מתח ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ko 펴다 ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ru увели́чивать ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · hu széttár ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ja 拡大する ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · bg излагам подробно ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · no utdype ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · hu kibont ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · ru расширя́ться ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kitágít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl opentrekken ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · it dilungare ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · yi אויסברייטערן זיך ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · mi tīwhera ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv vidga ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · tl lumawak ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · no bli større ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kiterít ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · it espandere ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · nl vermeerderen ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · eo pligrandiĝi ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi kertoa auki ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · sv expanderas ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · bg разкривам скоби ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · ru станови́ться общи́тельнее ((intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic) · it espandere ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · es explayar ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · la expandō ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi täsmentää ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · mi whakaroha ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · he פיתח ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · ru растя́гиваться ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu felenged ((intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic) · ar فَصَّلَ ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · fi laajentua ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · fr agrandir ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · eo pligrandigi ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · no vokse ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · bg разширявам ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · mi tautorotoro ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · cmn 擴大 /扩大 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi selventää ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · it estendersi ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu szélesedik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · tl lumaki ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu bővít ((transitive, arithmetic) to multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number) · fr élaborer ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · hu bővebben elmond ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · ar وَسَّعَ ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · khb ᦶᦖᧈᦦᦱᧂᧉ ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ml വികസിക്കുക ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · no greie ut ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · hu széttárul ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ru раскрыва́ться ((intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic) · cmn 展開 /展开 ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · ja 広げる ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · hu bővül ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · yi אויסברייטערן ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · es expandir ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · sv utvidgas ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · fi laventaa ((transitive, arithmetic) to multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number) · hu tágul ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utbreda sig ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ko 피다 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · it sviluppare ((intransitive, algebra) to become an equivalent sum of terms) · ml വികസിപ്പിക്കുക ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · nl uitdijen ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ota بالابانلانمق ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kifejt ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · hu kibővül ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · uk збі́льшувати ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · sv utveckla sig ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · la expando ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl uitplooien ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ko 펴이다 ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · nl toenemen ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu tágul ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · sv expandera ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · fi laajentaa ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · de vergrößern ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ru растя́гивать ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi täsmentää ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · ru раскрыва́ть суть де́ла ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · tl palakihin ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · tl palawakin ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · ml വികസിപ്പിക്കുക ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · vi khai triển ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · uk збі́льшувати ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · da ekspandere ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · sv öppna sig ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ja 拡大する ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ja 広げる ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · hu kibővít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ko 피다 ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ga leathnaigh ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · mi whakaroha ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · it espandersi ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ga leathnaigh ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ota ایریلشمك ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ko 펴다 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl uitbreiden ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · mi tīwhaki ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kibomlik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · tl lumaki ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu felderül ((intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic) · sv utbreda ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · mi whakamakoha ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · yi אויסברייטערן זיך ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · pl zwiększyć ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utveckla sig ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · ru увели́чиваться ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · cmn 擴充 /扩充 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl vergroten ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ro crește ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ru де́латься открове́ннее ((intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic) · nl uitweiden ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · uk розши́рюватися ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · it dettagliare ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · ru излага́ть де́ло в подро́бностях ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · cmn 擴張 /扩张 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi tarkentaa ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · he פירט ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · bg разширявам се ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu tágít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · uk збі́льшуватися ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu dagad ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · fi laajeta ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl uitbreiden ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · hu kinyílik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · bg засилвам се ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu kiszélesít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · es ampliar ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · bg увеличавам се ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ro expanda ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · th ขยาย ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · he הרחיב ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · bg увеличавам се ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu kifejt ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · ota ایریلشمك ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · no utdype ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · ja 広げる ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utvecklas ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · it espandersi ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · nl uitdijen ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · it dilungarsi ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · cmn 擴展 /扩展 ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv vidgas ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · tl palakihin ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu megnövel ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utveckla ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kiszélesedik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ota بالابانلانمق ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · it estendere ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utbredas ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · uk збі́льшуватися ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kiterjed ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · uk розши́рювати ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl uitwerken ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · fi tarkentaa ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · no ekspandere ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ko 피다 ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ja 拡大する ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utvidga ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · sv öppna ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi laajeta ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · yi אויסברייטערן ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · sv öppnas ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · uk розтяга́ти ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu növel ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · izh avaroittaa ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · es profundizar ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · he הגדיל ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · uk розтяга́тися ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu bővít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ro mări ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kiterjeszt ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu szélesít ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · uk розповіда́ти в дета́лях ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · hu kitágul ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · mi whakaroha ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · bg разяснявам се ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · it sviluppare ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · he הרחיב ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · it moltiplicare ((transitive, arithmetic) to multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same number) · hu felduzzad ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · no utvide ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ota آرتمق ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ro mări ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · nl elaboreren ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · hu kitágul ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · de expandieren ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · no ekspandere ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · fi laajentaa ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · el επεκτείνω ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu beszédesebbé válik ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · fi laajentua ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ml വികസിക്കുക ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · bg разтварям се ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · sv utveckla ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · nl vergroten ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu szétterül ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl zich uitbreiden ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ko 피다 ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · de vergrößern ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl uitzetten ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu kibont ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · bg разширя́вам се ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · nl ontwikkelen ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · fr développer ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · fi levittää ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ja 敷衍する ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · sv växa ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ar تَوَسَّعَ ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu nagyobbodik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ga leathnaigh ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ko 펴다 ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · ja 展開する ((transitive) to express at length or in detail) · hu kiír ((transitive, algebra) to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms) · ro crește ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · pl zwiększać ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu terjeszkedik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · no ekspandere ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · ja 拡大する ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ja 広がる ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · ga leathnaigh ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · ru расширя́ть ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · hu megnagyobbodik ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · nl openzetten ((transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · no utvide ((transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of) · no vokse ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope) · hu megnyílik ((intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail) · ko 펴이다 ((intransitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one) · bg разраствам се ((intransitive) to increase in extent, number, volume or scope)