What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Enlarge vs Expand - What's the difference?

enlarge | expand | Synonyms |

Expand is a synonym of enlarge.

Expand is a antonym of enlarge.



In transitive terms the difference between enlarge and expand

is that enlarge is to increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc while expand is to express (something) at length and/or in detail.

In intransitive terms the difference between enlarge and expand

is that enlarge is to speak at length upon or on (some subject while expand is to feel generous or optimistic.

enlarge

English

Verb

(enlarg)
  • To make larger.
  • To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc.
  • Knowledge enlarges the mind.
  • * Bible, 2 Corinthians vi. 11
  • O ye Corinthians, our heart is enlarged .
  • To speak at length upon'' or ''on (some subject)
  • * 1664 , (Samuel Butler), Hudibras 2.2.68:
  • I shall enlarge upon the Point.
  • (archaic) To release; to set at large.
  • * 1580 , (Philip Sidney), Arcadia 329:
  • Like a Lionesse lately enlarged .
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , IV.8:
  • Finding no meanes how I might us enlarge , / But if that Dwarfe I could with me convay, / I lightly snatcht him up and with me bore away.
  • * Barrow
  • It will enlarge us from all restraints.
  • * 1599 , (William Shakespeare), Henry V , Act II Scene II:
  • Uncle of Exeter, enlarge the man committed yesterday, that rail'd against our person. We consider it was excess of wine that set him on.
  • (nautical) To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.
  • (legal) To extend the time allowed for compliance with (an order or rule).
  • (Abbott)

    References

    *

    Anagrams

    * *

    expand

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
  • (label) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
  • (label) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  • To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
  • To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
  • (label) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
  • (label) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
  • (label) To speak or write at length or in detail.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Stephen Crane)
  • , title=, chapter=1 , passage=There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”}}
  • (label) To feel generous or optimistic.
  • Synonyms

    * open out, spread, spread out, unfold * enlarge * (to express at length or in detail) elaborate (on), expand on

    Antonyms

    * contract * contract * factor

    Derived terms

    * expandable * expander