enlarge

American  

[en-lahrj] / ɛnˈlɑrdʒ /

verb (used with object)

enlarged, enlarging

1. to make larger; increase in extent, bulk, or quantity; add to.

   They enlarged the house by adding an east wing.

   Synonyms:

   dilate, amplify, magnify, extend

   Antonyms:

   diminish

2. to increase the capacity or scope of; expand.

   We've decided to enlarge the company.

   Antonyms:

   contract

3. to make (a photographic print) larger than the negative by projecting the negative's image through a lens onto photographic printing paper.

---

verb (used without object)

enlarged, enlarging

1. to grow larger; increase; expand.

2. to speak or write at large; expatiate.

   to enlarge upon a point.

enlarge British  

/ ɪnˈlɑːdʒ /

verb

1. to make or grow larger in size, scope, etc; increase or expand

2. (tr) to make (a photographic print) of a larger size than the negative

3. (intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) in greater detail; expatiate (on)

---

Usage

What are other ways to say enlarge?

To enlarge something is to make it larger or to add to it. How does enlarge differ from increase and augment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• enlargeable adjective
• enlargedly adverb
• enlargedness noun
• enlargingly adverb
• preenlarge verb (used with object)
• reenlarge verb
• unenlarged adjective
• unenlarging adjective

Etymology

Origin of enlarge

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargir, enlarger. See en- ¹, large

Explanation

When you enlarge something, you make it bigger. If you build a huge addition on the side of your house, you enlarge it. You can enlarge a sand castle by dumping another bucket of sand on it, or enlarge your hairdo by curling and teasing it. When a photographer enlarges a photograph, she blows it up, or prints a much larger copy of it, and you can also enlarge an idea, or someone's understanding of it, by clarifying or explaining it. The Old French root of enlarge is enlargier, "to widen, increase, or make larger."

Example Sentences

Adenomyosis, is a condition often compared to endometriosis and occurs when where endometrial-like tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing it to thicken and enlarge.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Nothing has been done in the meantime to enlarge our shipbuilding capacity, or entice a larger or more skilled workforce.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, said the plan to enlarge Shasta Dam “represents an important step toward advancing a long-overdue investment in water supply reliability.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Even at a moment when his career seemed to be contracting, Ellington used a new technology to enlarge his art—and, in doing so, helped chart a broader future for American musical expression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

With a flick of her ankle, Xan allowed a mushroom to enlarge itself enough to make a fine stool to sit upon.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

Related Words

• add to
• augment
• boost
• broaden
• build
• develop
• expand
• extend
• grow
• inflate
• lengthen
• magnify
• multiply
• swell
• widen