Extending
/ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo increase the size, length, or scope of something.
/ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ/
To cause to cover a greater area; to make larger or longer.
The road is being extended by several miles.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a sandwich, and you want it to be extra long. Extending is like making it longer, bigger, or more comprehensive, like extending your reach to grab that extra slice of bread!
👶 For kids: Making something bigger or longer, like extending your arms to give a hug.
More Examples
The company decided to extend the deadline.
She is extending her knowledge through online courses.
How It's Used
"They are extending their house to make more room."
"The company is extending its product line."
To offer something, such as help, an invitation, or a greeting.
/ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ/
To offer or provide.
They extended a warm welcome to the newcomers.
💡 Simply: It's like offering something special. For instance, extending your hand for a handshake or extending a warm welcome to a guest. Think of it as a way of sharing or giving!
👶 For kids: Giving something to someone, like extending your hand for a high-five.
More Examples
The bank is extending credit to qualified customers.
He extended his congratulations on her success.
How It's Used
"They extended their gratitude with a gift."
"He extended an invitation to his friend."
To prolong the duration of something; to continue something for a longer time.
/ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ/
To continue for a longer period.
The contract was extended for another year.
💡 Simply: Imagine the school bell ringing for the end of the day, but it's still fun, so you convince the teacher to make the recess a little longer. Extending is like making a situation last longer than it was planned, like extending a vacation!
👶 For kids: Making something last longer, like extending playtime.
More Examples
The deadline was extended by a week.
They are extending their stay in the hotel.
How It's Used
"The meeting was extended to discuss further details."
"The event was extended due to popular demand."
Idioms & expressions
extend an olive branch
To offer a gesture of peace or reconciliation, especially after a conflict.
"After their argument, she extended an olive branch by apologizing."
extend your stay
To continue a period of time at a place or in an activity.
"We decided to extend our stay in Rome for an extra week."
From Middle English *extenden*, from Old French *estendre* (modern French *étendre*), from Latin *extendere* ('to stretch out'), from *ex-* ('out') + *tendere* ('to stretch').
Used since the 14th century in Middle English, initially meaning 'to stretch out' or 'spread out'.
Memory tip
Think of a rubber band being stretched – that's extending!
Word Origin
"to stretch"