expand

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To become larger in size, number, volume, or amount.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by into, to, or by: the city expanded into new districts.

   Patterns

   • expand into something
   • expand by an amount
   • expand to a size

   The small bakery expanded into three neighborhoods.

   Metal expands when it is heated.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To make something larger, wider, more detailed, or more inclusive.

   Grammar: Takes an object: expand the program; contrast the intransitive pattern the program expanded.

   Patterns

   • expand something
   • expand something into something
   • expand someone's options

   The company plans to expand its delivery service overseas.

   Please expand the introduction so readers understand the problem.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To give more information or develop an idea in greater detail.

   Grammar: Usually followed by on or upon: expand on your answer, not expand your answer in this sense.

   Patterns

   • expand on something
   • expand upon an idea
   • expand briefly

   She expanded on the proposal during the meeting.

   Could you expand upon why the deadline changed?

4. 4verbtransitive or intransitivebusiness

   To increase business activity, scope, or influence, or to cause such growth.

   Grammar: Both patterns are common: the firm expanded rapidly and the owner expanded the firm.

   Patterns

   • expand rapidly
   • expand a business
   • expand into a market

   The chain expanded rapidly during the 1990s.

   They expanded the business by opening an online store.

Word forms

Common combinations

expand rapidly

Demand for nurses expanded rapidly after the new hospital opened.

expand into new markets

The software firm expanded into new markets in Latin America.

expand a business

She used a small loan to expand a business run from her garage.

expand on an idea

The tutor asked him to expand on an idea from his first paragraph.

expand your vocabulary

Reading short articles every day helps expand your vocabulary.

Synonyms and how they differ

enlarge

Enlarge often suggests making something physically or visibly bigger, especially a photo, building, or organization.

grow

Grow is broader and more natural for gradual increases; expand fits deliberate widening or development.

extend

Extend emphasizes stretching length, time, or reach, while expand suggests increase in size or scope overall.

develop

Develop means make fuller or more advanced; use expand when size, amount, or range is central.

Opposites

Word family

expansion noun

The process or result of becoming or making larger.

expansive adjective

Covering a wide area or speaking in an open, generous way.

expanse noun

A wide, open stretch of space.

expandable adjective

Able to be made larger or added to.

Commonly confused: expand or expanse?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “expand”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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