enlarge

verb

en·​large in-ˈlärj How to pronounce enlarge (audio)
en-
enlarged; enlarging

transitive verb

1
: to make larger : extend
enlarged the family fortune with new investments
2
: to give greater scope to : expand
education may enlarge one's view of the world
3
: to set free
enlarge a captive

intransitive verb

1
: to grow larger
2
: to speak or write at length : elaborate
let me enlarge upon that point
enlargeable adjective
enlarger noun
Choose the Right Synonym for enlarge

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of enlarge in a Sentence

We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built
Recent Examples on the Web Several justices questioned Colorado’s claim that the framers sought to enlarge state power over federal candidates and officers so soon after the Civil War. Robert J. Delahunty, National Review, 14 Feb. 2024 Removing the inner hallway to enlarge the kitchen led to the discovery that the entire sub-flooring in the back half of the house, consisting of the kitchen and bedroom, was rotted out. Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 The project entails constructing three new water treatment plants and enlarging one existing water treatment plant to allow for the installation of Granular Activated Carbon filter systems to remove PFAS from the Town’s water. Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2024 Two women charged with killing a 26-year-old woman by giving her a fatal dose of silicone to enlarge her buttocks in 2019 had seen the unlicensed procedure turn deadly before, prosecutors argued in court. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Other people’s video feeds showed up in customers’ Events tab, and over 1,500 tapped to enlarge them. David Meyer, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024 About 1,500 users clicked on the tabs showing the other people’s footage, which enlarged the thumbnail and in some cases allowed people to view footage from other users cameras. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Expanding to cover more tax situations would mean enlarging that map. Julie Zauzmer Weil, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024 The engine is enlarged to 5.4 L and set lower down and further back in the chassis. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enlarge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enlarger, enlargir, from en- + large broad, large

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enlarge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near enlarge

Cite this Entry

“Enlarge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlarge. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

enlarge

verb
en·​large in-ˈlärj How to pronounce enlarge (audio)
enlarged; enlarging
1
: to make or grow larger : increase, expand
2
: to give more details : elaborate
enlarge on a story
enlarger noun

Medical Definition

enlarge

verb
en·​large in-ˈlärj How to pronounce enlarge (audio)
enlarged; enlarging

transitive verb

: to make larger

intransitive verb

: to grow larger

More from Merriam-Webster on enlarge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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