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Expand vs Expendable - What's the difference?

expand | expendable |

As a verb expand

is to change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.

As an adjective expendable is

able to be expended; not inexhaustible.

As a noun expendable is

an expendable person or object; usually used in the plural.

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

    Related terms

    * expanse * expansible * expansile * expansive * expansion * expansionism

    expendable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Able to be expended; not inexhaustible.
    • Oil and other expendable resources are frequently the subject of military disputes.
  • Designed for a single use; not reusable.
    • The anti-aircraft rocket is fired from an expendable launch platform.
  • Not essential or mandatory in order to achieve a goal.
    • The research department was deemed expendable , and its funding was not renewed.
  • That which is regarded as not worth preserving or saving; able to be sacrificed.
    • In the internecine rivalries of large corporations, whole departments may become expendable in the execution of one executive's power play.

    Synonyms

    * (not inexhaustible ): exhaustible, finite, limited * (not reusable ): dispensable, disposable, throwaway * (not essential or mandatory ): adjunct, dispensable, redundant, superfluous * (not worth saving or preserving ): collateral, inconsiderable, sacrificable, worthless

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expendable person or object; usually used in the plural.
    • Private Johnson was afraid the Lieutenant considered him an expendable , since he was always picked as point man.

    Derived terms

    * expendability * expendably