expand

expandverb

1. get biggerbecome larger in size, number, or amount, or make something larger

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Metal expands when it gets hot.
   • The company plans to expand next year.
   • They expanded the kitchen by taking down a wall. V + obj
   • The town has expanded into the nearby farmland. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   verb + adverb expand rapidly, expand quickly, expand greatly

   verb + noun expand a business, expand your knowledge, expand a range

   verb + preposition expand into something

   Synonyms grow; increase

   Antonyms shrink

   Compare extend

2. say moregive more details about something that you have said or written

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • Could you expand on that idea a little? V + prep + obj
   • She refused to expand on her earlier comments. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition expand on something, expand upon something