Word
magnify
Phoneticsmag·ni·fy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæɡnəˌfaɪ/
UK/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ/
Definition
v. to make something look larger or seem more important than it really is. You use this when talking about using a glass to see small things, or when a problem becomes bigger because of other factors.
v. to increase the apparent size of an object through an optical instrument; by extension, to increase the importance, intensity, or effect of something. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“The microscope helps you magnify tiny cells.”
“The bright lights in the room began to magnify the small cracks in the ceiling, making them look much worse than they were.”
“While the initial error was minor, the lack of communication between departments served to magnify the problem, eventually leading to a total system failure.”
Examples
simple
“The microscope helps you magnify tiny cells.”
contextual
“The bright lights in the room began to magnify the small cracks in the ceiling, making them look much worse than they were.”
complex
“While the initial error was minor, the lack of communication between departments served to magnify the problem, eventually leading to a total system failure.”
Real-World Examples
“The glasses allowed them to adjust contrast and brightness and magnify up to 12 times.” “It is like looking though a magnifying glass, except there is no glass.” Etymology
From Middle English magnifien, from Middle French magnifier, from Latin magnificāre, from magnificus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/magnify