enlarge

verb

en·large | \ in-ˈlärj

, en-\

enlarged; enlarging

Definition of enlarge

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

Other Words from enlarge Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about enlarge

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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

The store has moved its entire beauty section to the second floor and enlarged it by about 40 percent. — Rachel Felder, New York Times, "How to Cure the Makeup Counter Blues," 23 May 2018 Download and print our profile templates, then use a photocopier to enlarge them by 130 percent. — Laura Fenton, Country Living, "Profile Bulletin Boards," 1 Jan. 2010 Related question: Is sudoku easier or harder with tools instead of numbers? Click the image to enlarge. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Tool Sudoku Puzzle Answer," 28 Mar. 2019 And yet, outside of enlarging the font on his computer, Bindel has always spurned technology for the visually impaired. — Caren Chesler, Popular Mechanics, "A Vision Quest," 6 Mar. 2019 But renovating all four schools, without additions, would cost taxpayers about $33.1 million. Renovating and enlarging three schools would cost $28.3 to $28.7 million. — Jesse Leavenworth, Courant Community, "Manchester Committee Discusses Which Schools To Close, Which To Fix," 12 June 2018 Her lower waterline was accented with eye-enlarging white liner, and her bottom lashes were enhanced with individual clusters of false lashes. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Kristen Stewart Chopped Off Her Hair and Bleached It Blonde Again," 16 Sep. 2018 Beijing has enlarged many of these smaller features by dredging sand from the sea floor, creating larger islands equipped with radars, guns, missiles, ports capable of handling warships, and military-grade airfields. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "A Chinese Military Official Suggests Ramming U.S. Warships in the South China Sea," 10 Dec. 2018 According to purchase receipts obtained by the Herald/Times, Biegalski in 2017 enlarged his personal office by taking over the conference room. — Mary Ellen Klas, miamiherald, "This key agency answers to the governor and Cabinet, but they don't ask many questions," 12 June 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.