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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Expand: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (4 meaning)

Meaning 1：grow larger (expand)

expand 🔊

/ɪkˈspænd/

To make something larger or more extensive in size, range, or scope.

Expand meaning illustrated: business growth on a global digital map

grow larger 🔊

➕

/ɡroʊ ˈlɑːrdʒər/

To increase the size, scope, or reach of something, especially a business or activity.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'pandere' (to spread, stretch).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: "EXpand your PAN of Desserts" to remember EX- (out) and PAN- (spread).

📖 Example

The tech company plans to expand its business into the Asian market next year. 🔊 The technology firm intends to grow its business operations into the Asian market in the coming year.

🔗 Collocations

expand operations – to increase or extend business activities

expand rapidly – to grow very quickly

expand into new markets – to start doing business in new geographical areas

🔄 Synonyms

enlarge (v.) – to make something bigger in size

extend (v.) – to make something longer or cover a larger area

grow (v.) – to increase in size or amount over time

🚫 Antonyms

shrink (v.) – to become or make smaller in size

contract (v.) – to become smaller or more compact

reduce (v.) – to make something smaller or less in amount

🌱 Derivatives

expansion (n.) – the action of becoming larger or more extensive

expansive (adj.) – covering a wide area; extensive

📖 Cultural Story

The Latin root 'expandere' meant 'to spread out, unfold'. Historically used for physical unrolling (like a scroll), it now broadly applies to business, ideas, and materials. It's a key term in corporate strategy discussions.

Meaning 2：get bigger (expand)

expand 🔊

/ɪkˈspænd/

To increase in size, volume, or area, often because of being filled with air or heat.

Visual definition of expand: balloon inflating to show physical increase

get bigger 🔊

➕

/ɡet ˈbɪɡər/

To increase in physical size, volume, or area, often due to internal forces like heat or air pressure.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When you heat the metal, it will expand slightly. 🔊 If you apply heat to the metal, it will increase in size a little.

🔗 Collocations

expand and contract – to get larger and then smaller repeatedly (e.g., with temperature changes)

expand with heat – to become larger when warmed

🔄 Synonyms

swell (v.) – to become larger and rounder, often from pressure inside

inflate (v.) – to fill something with air or gas so it becomes larger

dilate (v.) – to become wider or larger, especially a circular opening

🚫 Antonyms

contract (v.) – to become smaller or tighter

shrink (v.) – to become smaller in size

deflate (v.) – to lose air or gas and become smaller

Meaning 3：open up (expand)

expand 🔊

/ɪkˈspænd/

To open or spread something out from a folded or closed position.

open up 🔊

➕

/ˈoʊpən ʌp/

To open or spread something out from a folded, rolled-up, or compressed state.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

He expanded the folded map on the table to find the best route. 🔊 He opened up the folded map on the table to locate the optimal path.

🔗 Collocations

expand a map – to open a folded map fully

🔄 Synonyms

unfold (v.) – to open something that was folded

open out (v.) – to spread something open

spread out (v.) – to open and lay something flat over an area

🚫 Antonyms

fold (v.) – to bend something so one part lies flat on another

roll up (v.) – to form something into a cylindrical shape

Meaning 4：elaborate on (expand)

expand 🔊

/ɪkˈspænd/

To give more details or information about something already mentioned.

Expand to elaborate: teacher and student discussing detailed ideas

elaborate on 🔊

➕

/ɪˈlæbəreɪt ɒn/

To add more details, explanations, or information to a topic or idea that has been mentioned.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The professor asked the student to expand on her initial idea during the presentation. 🔊 The instructor requested the student to provide more details about her original concept in the presentation.

🔗 Collocations

expand on a point – to explain a specific idea in more detail

expand upon – to add more information to a previous statement (formal)

🔄 Synonyms

elaborate (v.) – to give more details about something

develop (v.) – to make an idea more detailed and complete

flesh out (v.) – to add more details to a basic plan or idea (informal)

🚫 Antonyms

summarize (v.) – to give a brief statement of the main points

condense (v.) – to make something shorter or more concise