ENGLISH
REFERENCE

expanded

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ɪkˈspændəd// UK //ɛkspˈændɪd// ex·pand·ed

v. to become larger or to make something cover more space. You use this when a business grows or when you explain an idea in more detail.

v. to increase in size, volume, quantity, or scope. Transitive when describing the act of enlarging something; intransitive when describing the process of growth or swelling.


SIMPLE

The small company expanded into a global business.

CONTEXTUAL

The balloon expanded as I blew more air into it, eventually reaching its full size.

COMPLEX

The author expanded the short story into a full-length novel, adding several subplots and developing the backstories of the minor characters to provide more depth.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb can be used transitively with a direct object or intransitively. When used with 'on' or 'upon', it means to provide more details about a topic.

Pitfall

The metal expanded itself in the heatThe metal expanded in the heatWhen describing physical growth or swelling, the verb is intransitive and does not require a reflexive pronoun.

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