Expanding

/ɪkˈspændɪŋ/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

1

To increase in size, volume, quantity, or scope.

/ɪkˈspænd/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To become or make larger or more extensive.

The company plans to expand its customer base.

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy is getting bigger and bigger. That's like expanding! Like when you open your arms wider.

👶 For kids: To get bigger.

More Examples

2

The universe continues to expand.

3

His knowledge of history is constantly expanding.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is expanding its operations overseas."

Science

"The universe is thought to be constantly expanding."

Personal Development

"She is expanding her knowledge by reading various books."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

expand on

To provide more details or information about something.

"Could you expand on your previous statement?"

From Latin *expandere* 'to spread out,' from *ex-* 'out' + *pandere* 'to spread'.

The word 'expand' has been used since the 17th century to describe the act of extending or increasing in size or scope.

Memory tip

Think of a balloon: as you blow air into it, it expands.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to spread out"

expand rapidlyexpand significantlyexpand the businessexpand the scopeexpand on (a topic)

Common misspellings

expadingexpendingexpandin

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written