extend

ex·tend

verb \ik-ˈstend\

Definition of EXTEND

transitive verb

1

: to spread or stretch forth : unbend <extended both her arms>

2

a : to stretch out to fullest length b : to cause (as a horse) to move at full stride c : to exert (oneself) to full capacity <could work long and hard without seeming to extend himself> d (1) : to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2) : adulterate

3

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (from Latin) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French] a British : to take possession of (as lands) by a writ of extent b obsolete : to take by force

4

a : to make the offer of : proffer <extending aid to the needy> <extending their greetings> b : to make available <extending credit to customers>

5

a : to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) <national authority was extended over new territories> b : to cause to be longer : prolong <extend the side of a triangle> <extended their visit another day>; also : to prolong the time of payment of c : advance, further <extending her potential through job training>

6

a : to cause to be of greater area or volume : enlarge <extended the patio to the back of the house> b : to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : broaden <beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extends the consciousness — Algernon Blackwood> c archaic : exaggerate

intransitive verb

1

: to stretch out in distance, space, or time : reach <their jurisdiction extended over the whole area>

2

: to reach in scope or application <his concern extends beyond mere business to real service to his customers>

— ex·tend·abil·i·ty \-ˌsten-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ex·tend·able also ex·tend·ible \-ˈsten-də-bəl\ adjective

Examples of EXTEND

1. He extended a hand in greeting.
2. sitting with both legs fully extended
3. The table measures eight feet long when it is fully extended.
4. The table extends to eight feet in length.
5. The woods extend for miles to the west.
6. Their knowledge of the family's history extends back to colonial times.
7. Their influence extends well beyond their immediate circle of friends.
8. His popularity extends from coast to coast.

Origin of EXTEND

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French estendre, from Latin extendere, from ex- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXTEND

Synonyms: drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch

Antonyms: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten

Related Words: amplify, enlarge, expand, increase; attenuate, thin

Near Antonyms: decrease, diminish, lessen, reduce; thicken

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of EXTEND

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range <extend a vacation> <extend welfare services> <lengthen a skirt> <lengthen the workweek>. prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits <prolonged illness>. protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness <protracted litigation>.

Rhymes with EXTEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end