enlarge

verb en·large \ in-ˈlärj , en- \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

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Examples: enlarge in a Sentence

Definition of enlarge

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

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enlargeable

play \in-ˈlär-jə-bəl, en-\ adjective

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enlarger

noun

See enlarge defined for English-language learners

See enlarge defined for kids

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 of enlarge from the Web

History textbooks written under previous governments led by the Congress Party enlarged the role of Congress leaders in India’s struggle for independence, while minimizing the role of other revolutionaries, according to Rai.

— vidhi doshi, Washington Post, "India’s new textbooks are promoting the prime minister’s favorite policies, critics allege," 1 June 2018
Large oil paintings and a monumental hanging beehive sculpture enlarge the world of honeybees to human scale.

— george fishman, miamiherald, "This art speaks to the heart. Even when you can see through it. | Miami Herald," 8 May 2018
The crew enlarged a crawl space to construct more apartments and found the bones, which included a skull and jawbone.

— kathleen joyce, Fox News, "Skeletal remains found in Washington, D.C. are of homicide victims: police," 5 May 2018
Surgeons typically enlarge this connection during infancy, improving blood flow to the lungs.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "Infant heart surgery is just the start of lifelong issues. Doctors are developing new ways to cope," 9 Mar. 2018
Last year, the agency enlarged the protective bulwark around the White House complex by closing access to the entire fence-line along the mansion's south lawn in the wake of persistent concerns about intrusions.

— kevin johnson, USA TODAY, "White House ends lockdown after arrest of woman who drove car into security barrier," 23 Feb. 2018
Avison Young has enlarged its Florida Capital Markets Group with the expansion of its Valuation & Advisory Services platform into Florida and addition of Chris Peckholdt as director of the service line.

— cindy kent, Sun-Sentinel.com, "People on the move: Navarro Lowrey announces executive appointments," 3 May 2018
The mansion and a nearby guest house now encompass nearly 20,000 square feet, after numerous additions significantly enlarged the original living quarters, built in 1939 for Robert M. Hillas.

— russell blair, courant.com, "President Donald Trump's Former Greenwich Mansion Listed Again For $45M," 18 Apr. 2018
With the help of Proposition G, a $247 million public bond passed by voters in 2006, Grossmont rebuilt and enlarged its previous emergency department, but that has not allowed the medical center to keep pace with demand.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New Grossmont clinic aims to take pressure off region's busiest ER," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enlarge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of enlarge

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

enlarge Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of enlarge

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater. increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity