enlarge Hear it!

enlarge definition

en·large (en lärj, in-)

transitive verb enlarged -·larged′, enlarging -·larg′·ing

  1. to make larger; increase in size, volume, extent, etc.; broaden; expand
  2. Photog. to reproduce on a larger scale

Etymology: ME enlargen < OFr enlargier: see en- & large

intransitive verb

  1. to become larger; increase in size, extent, etc.; expand
  2. to speak or write at greater length or in greater detail; expatiate (on or upon)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
enlarge Synonyms

enlarge

v.

  1. To become larger

    expand, spread, swell, increase; see grow 1.

  2. To make larger

    extend, augment, expand, increase; see increase 1. See syn. study at increase.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

enlarge Usage Examples

Object

  • click: To enlarge the full text screen click on the by the document.

Used with why or when

  • when: Anti-aliased fonts should be avoided because they enlarge poorly when a screen magnification program is used.

Modifying Another Word

  • considerably: Around the beginning of the first century BCE, the settlement was considerably enlarged.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • upon: A vast body of Greco-Roman knowledge of herbs was preserved and enlarged upon by the Arabs.

Preposition: after

  • armistice: The Cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice by the concentration of over 700 graves from the Battlefields between the Somme and the Luce.

Infinitive complement

  • accommodate: The Bloody Tower was enlarged to accommodate Ralegh's family.

Preposition: by

  • addition: In 1894, the fleet was enlarged by the addition of the Geneva Cross, another purpose-built paddle-steamer.
enlarge usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

enlarge quotes

Enlarge my life with multitude of days, In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays; Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know, That life protracted is protracted woe. Time hovers o'er, impatient to destroy, And shuts up all the passages of joy.

-Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Then, rising with Aurora's light, The Muse invoked, sit down to write; Blot out, correct, insert, refine, Enlarge, diminish, interline.

-Swift,Jonathan

enlarge quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"enlarge." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/enlarge>

APA Style

enlarge. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/enlarge

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