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ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

expand.

To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

6 characters2 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

verb/ɪkˈspænd//ɛkˈspænd/
  1. To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

    transitive
    You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.
  2. To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).

    transitive
    A flower expands its leaves.
  3. To express (something) at length and/or in detail.

    transitive
  4. To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.

    transitive
    Use the binomial theorem to expand #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴.
  5. To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.

    intransitive
    The expression #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴ expands to x⁴#43;4x³#43;6x²#43;4x#43;1.
  6. To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number (which yields a fraction of equal value).

    transitive
    Expanding 4#47;7 by 3 gives 12#47;21.
  7. To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.

    intransitive
    Many materials expand when heated.
    This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table.
  8. To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.

    intransitive
  9. To speak or write at length or in detail.

    intransitive
    He expanded on his plans for the business.
  10. To feel generous or optimistic.

    intransitive
  11. In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to show the subentries of (an entry).

    transitive
Where this word comes from

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.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.