expand
To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
Verb 4 meanings
To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
“You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.”
To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
“A flower expands its leaves.”
To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
“Use the binomial theorem to expand #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴.”
Etymology
Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandō (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”). Doublet of spawn.
Similar and opposite words
EXPAND at a glance
EXPAND has 6 letters and scores 16 points in Scrabble (E 1 + X 8 + P 3 + A 1 + N 1 + D 2) and 18 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,867 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with expand
All rhymesOne letter away
- EXPEND16
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