expand
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• verb
To become or make larger, wider, or more extensive in size, volume, or scope.
"Metals naturally expand when heated and contract when cooled."
To increase the scale, reach, or operations of an organization, business, or activity.
"The software company plans to expand its operations into European markets next year."
To give a fuller version or more detailed explanation of a statement, topic, or idea (often followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"Could you expand on your proposal during tomorrow's committee meeting?"
To write out a mathematical expression in full as a sum of terms or products (in mathematics).
"The teacher asked the students to expand the algebraic expression before solving the equation."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'expand' (to grow larger or spread out) with 'expend' (to spend or use up resources such as time, money, or energy).
• Rhymes for expand
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Late Middle English from Latin expandere ('to spread out'), formed from ex- ('out') and pandere ('to spread, stretch').