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Vast vs Expansive - What's the difference?

vast | expansive | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between vast and expansive

is that vast is very large or wide (literally or figuratively) while expansive is able to be expanded.

As a noun vast

is a vast space.

As an acronym VAST

is visual audio sensory theater.

vast

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Very large or wide (literally or figuratively).
    • The Sahara desert is vast .
    There is a vast difference between them.
  • Very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially extent.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
    • , author=Anna Lena Phillips , title=Sneaky Silk Moths , volume=100, issue=2, page=172 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.}}
  • (obsolete) Waste; desert; desolate; lonely.
  • * William Shakespeare, the Life and Death of Richard the Third Act I, scene IV:
    • the empty, vast , and wandering air

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (poetic) A vast space.
  • * 1608': they have seemed to be together, though absent, shook hands, as over a '''vast , and embraced, as it were, from the ends of opposed winds. — William Shakespeare, ''The Winter's Tale , I.i

    • Derived terms

    * vastly * vastness * ultravast

    Statistics

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    expansive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Able to be expanded.
  • Comprehensive in scope or extent.
    • An expansive research work.
  • Talkative and sociable.
  • (mathematics) Exhibiting expansivity.