enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj 
en-
enlarged; enlarging
transitive verb
1
: to make larger : extend
enlarged the family fortune with new investments
2
: to give greater scope to : expand
education may enlarge one's view of the world
3
: to set free
enlarge a captive
intransitive verb
1
: to grow larger
2
: to speak or write at length : elaborate
let me enlarge upon that point
enlargeable
in-ˈlär-jə-bəl
adjective en-
enlarger noun
Synonyms
- accelerate
- accumulate
- appreciate
- balloon
- boom
- build up
- burgeon
- bourgeon
- climb
- escalate
- expand
- gain
- increase
- mount
- multiply
- mushroom
- proliferate
- rise
- roll up
- snowball
- spread
- swell
- wax
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
We had the photograph enlarged. as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built
Recent Examples on the Web Windows visually enlarge a small room—your eye moves beyond the wall to the outdoor view, incorporating it as part of your living space. 
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 As an example, the Madam Black character uses a mirror to enlarge her fists and grab the alien. Patrick Frater, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 The textured wallpaper provides a sense of movement that helps enlarge the small space. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2022 This spring, the couple broke ground on a 1,200-square-foot addition that will enlarge their primary suite, a project estimated at $500,000. Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 The homeowners, who had lived in one of the Central Park−facing apartments since 2004, seized the opportunity to enlarge the 2,000-square-foot home when a neighboring, 2,500-square-foot unit became available. Alyssa Bird, ELLE Decor, 5 Aug. 2022 It's taken just two weeks for lawmakers to receive President Joe Biden's smaller, $33 billion package, enlarge it and move it to the brink of passage — lightning speed for Congress. Alan Fram, ajc, 11 May 2022 Thus, texturizing or volumizing shampoos open up the hair cuticle and enlarge it. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 This lets her stretch, disguise herself, and even shrink or enlarge herself similar to Ant-Man. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 15 Mar. 2022 See More
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 As an example, the Madam Black character uses a mirror to enlarge her fists and grab the alien. Patrick Frater, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 The textured wallpaper provides a sense of movement that helps enlarge the small space. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2022 This spring, the couple broke ground on a 1,200-square-foot addition that will enlarge their primary suite, a project estimated at $500,000. Beth Decarbo, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 The homeowners, who had lived in one of the Central Park−facing apartments since 2004, seized the opportunity to enlarge the 2,000-square-foot home when a neighboring, 2,500-square-foot unit became available. Alyssa Bird, ELLE Decor, 5 Aug. 2022 It's taken just two weeks for lawmakers to receive President Joe Biden's smaller, $33 billion package, enlarge it and move it to the brink of passage — lightning speed for Congress. Alan Fram, ajc, 11 May 2022 Thus, texturizing or volumizing shampoos open up the hair cuticle and enlarge it. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022 This lets her stretch, disguise herself, and even shrink or enlarge herself similar to Ant-Man. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 15 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French enlarger, enlargir, from en- + large broad, large
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing enlarge
Kids Definition
enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj
enlarged; enlarging
: to make or grow larger : expand
Medical Definition
enlarge
verb
en·large in-ˈlärj
enlarged; enlarging
transitive verb
: to make larger
intransitive verb
: to grow larger
enlarge
verb
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number as the number of people with cell phones enlarges, more transmission towers will have to be built Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- increase
- expand
- rise
- swell
- accelerate
- multiply
- climb
- intensify
- wax
- accumulate
- spread
- proliferate
- balloon
- roll up
- gain
- mount
- mushroom
- escalate
- boom
- snowball
- appreciate
- jump
- heighten
- bourgeon
- build up
- surge
- burgeon
- skyrocket
- inflate
- peak
- rocket
- redouble
- distend
- bulk
- crest
- blow up
- puff (up)
- crescendo
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- diminish
- decrease
- recede
- lessen
- wane
- contract
- dwindle
2
as in to expand
to make greater in size, amount, or number with a new member of the family on the way, maybe we should consider enlarging the house Synonyms & Similar Words
- expand
- increase
- accelerate
- augment
- boost
- multiply
- extend
- enhance
- raise
- amplify
- intensify
- aggrandize
- up
- reinforce
- swell
- maximize
- strengthen
- supersize
- escalate
- stoke
- compound
- pump up
- build up
- hype
- lengthen
- supplement
- add (to)
- magnify
- dilate
- inflate
- distend
- jump
- heighten
- prolong
- elongate
- skyrocket
- develop
- protract
- stretch
- complement
- spike
- boom
- draw out
- blow up
- accumulate
- amass
- bump (up)
- collect
- reenforce
- ratchet (up)
- rachet (up)
- flesh (out)
- parlay
- follow up
- beef (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduce
- diminish
- decrease
- downsize
- lessen
- shorten
- lower
- curtail
- abridge
- abate
- subtract (from)
- compress
- abbreviate
- dwindle
- constrict
- minify
- condense
- contract
- retrench
- de-escalate
- cut back
3
as in to free
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) like a wild animal enlarged from a leghold trap, the freed prisoner raced about Synonyms & Similar Words
- free
- liberate
- save
- rescue
- release
- loosen
- unfetter
- enfranchise
- uncage
- turn loose
- emancipate
- unchain
- loose
- disenthrall
- unbind
- spring
- manumit
- discharge
- disenthral
- redeem
- extricate
- disembarrass
- disentangle
- disengage
- disencumber
- parole
- ransom
- deliver
- unshackle
- bail (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confine
- restrain
- bind
- fetter
- enchain
- shackle
- imprison
- jail
- commit
- handcuff
- subjugate
- lock (up)
- subdue
- conquer
- enslave
- trammel
- intern
- manacle
- incarcerate
- immure
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of enlarge are augment, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.
enlarged the kitchen
Although the words augment and enlarge have much in common, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.
the inheritance augmented his fortune
The words increase and enlarge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.
his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings
While in some cases nearly identical to enlarge, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.
with each attempt the problems multiplied