magnify
gb/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ/ us/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ/
B2
English
nagyít, eltúloz, felnagyít, felerősít, fokoz, magasztal, dicsőít
VERB
B2
1
nagyít
A2
Usage pattern:
magnify [something]
You can magnify the map to see the street names clearly.
Kinagyíthatod a térképet, hogy tisztán lásd az utcaneveket.
The microscope magnifies the cells thousands of times.
A mikroszkóp a sejteket több ezerszeresére nagyítja.
I magnified the PDF so I could read the small print.
Learner examples
Please magnify the picture.
Kérlek, nagyítsd ki a képet.
This tool magnifies the text.
Ez az eszköz nagyítja a szöveget.
Common mistake:
In this sense, magnify is about how something looks (often using a device), not about making the real object bigger.
Meaning
make something look bigger
Collocations
magnify an image
|magnify a photo
|magnify text
|magnify the screen
|magnify small details
|magnify the view
|magnify an object
|magnify a specimen
|magnify the print
|magnify the picture
Synonyms
enlarge (General word for making something appear bigger, including on screens.)
|
zoom in (Common for cameras and digital displays.)
Antonyms
reduce (Make something appear smaller, especially an image or text.)
|
shrink (Make something appear smaller in size.)
Themes
technology
|science
|daily_life
Definition
To make something look bigger.
To make something appear larger than it really is, especially by using a lens, microscope, or digital zoom.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
magnify [a problem/fear/fault]; be magnified
Social media can magnify minor disagreements into big conflicts.
A közösségi média az apró nézeteltéréseket könnyen nagy konfliktusokká felnagyíthatja.
He tended to magnify every small setback at work.
Hajlamos volt minden apró munkahelyi kudarcot eltúlozni.
The news report magnified the danger and frightened people unnecessarily.
Learner examples
Don’t magnify the problem.
Ne túlozd el a problémát.
She magnified a small mistake.
Eltúlozott egy apró hibát.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use magnify when they mean solve or improve; magnify means to make seem bigger, often in a negative way.
Meaning
make something seem more serious
Collocations
magnify a problem
|magnify a minor issue
|magnify fears
|magnify a mistake
|magnify faults
|magnify differences
|magnify risks
|magnify concerns
|magnify tensions
|magnify doubts
Synonyms
exaggerate (Direct and common; stresses making something seem larger than reality.)
|
overstate (More formal; often used for claims or descriptions.)
Antonyms
minimize (Make something seem less important or less serious.)
|
downplay (Intentionally present something as less serious.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
To make something seem bigger or worse than it is.
To make something seem more important, serious, or worse than it really is; to exaggerate.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
magnify [the effect/impact/consequences]; magnify [something] through [something]
Small data-entry mistakes can magnify into major accounting errors.
Az apró adatbeviteli hibák könnyen komoly könyvelési hibákká fokozódhatnak.
The new policy magnified the impact of small pay differences.
Az új szabályzat felerősítette a kis bérkülönbségek hatását.
Dry weather can magnify the risk of wildfires.
Learner examples
This can magnify the impact.
Ez felerősítheti a hatást.
A small error can magnify quickly.
Egy apró hiba gyorsan súlyosbodhat.
Common mistake:
Magnify can mean a real increase in impact (not only exaggeration). Context usually shows whether it is perception or actual effect.
Meaning
increase the effect or impact
Collocations
magnify the impact
|magnify the effect
|magnify the consequences
|magnify an error
|magnify the damage
|magnify the risk
|magnify inequalities
|magnify the cost
|magnify the benefits
|magnify volatility
Synonyms
amplify (Often used for signals, sound, and effects; stresses boosting strength.)
|
intensify (Stresses becoming stronger or more extreme over time.)
Antonyms
reduce (Make the effect or impact smaller.)
|
mitigate (Reduce harmful effects, especially of risks or damage.)
Themes
science
|business
|technology
Definition
To make an effect stronger or bigger.
To increase the strength, impact, or consequences of something, so that it becomes greater.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
magnify [God/the Lord]; magnify [someone/something]
The choir sang to magnify the Lord.
A kórus azért énekelt, hogy magasztalja az Urat.
The hymn invites believers to magnify God for his goodness.
Az ének arra hívja a hívőket, hogy jóságáért dicsőítsék Istent.
In the poem, the speaker magnifies the beauty of creation.
Learner examples
They magnified the Lord in song.
Énekben magasztalták az Urat.
We magnify God in prayer.
Imában dicsőítjük Istent.
Common mistake:
This meaning is most common in religious or older-style writing; in everyday speech people usually say praise or glorify.
Meaning
praise and glorify (religious)
Collocations
magnify the Lord
|magnify God
|magnify His name
|magnify your name
|magnify your glory
|magnify the Creator
Synonyms
glorify (Common in religious contexts; emphasizes giving glory.)
|
praise (More everyday; emphasizes saying good things about someone.)
Antonyms
denigrate (Speak about someone as if they are not worthy of respect.)
|
condemn (Express strong disapproval rather than honor.)
Themes
religion
|literature
Definition
To praise someone very strongly (often God).
To praise and honor (especially God) by speaking of greatness or giving glory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
magnify
IPA
GB/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ/
US/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
mag - ni - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mag)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: magnify
- 3rd Person Singular: magnifies
- Present Participle: magnifying
- Past: magnified
Word family
Forms
magnifies
verb
magnifying
verb
magnified
verb
Core family
magnification
noun
magnifier
noun
Related words
magnitude
noun B2
Expressions
magnify [something] out of (all) proportion
1/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt əv ˈɔl pɹəpˈɔɹʃən/
fixed phrase
exaggerate far beyond reality
To make something seem much bigger than it is.
Examples
- One critical comment was magnified out of all proportion.
- They magnified a small scheduling issue out of proportion.
- Try not to magnify the risks out of proportion to the evidence.
Learner examples
- Don’t magnify it out of proportion.
magnify and multiply
1/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ ˈænd mˈʌltɪpli/
fixed phrase
grow rapidly in size/number
To grow very quickly and become bigger.
Examples
- If we don’t fix it early, the errors will magnify and multiply.
- Rumors can magnify and multiply in a small community.
- Small delays tend to magnify and multiply as the project goes on.
Learner examples
- Small problems can magnify and multiply.
magnify the lord
1/mˈæɡnɪfˌaɪ ðə lˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
literary
praise God in worship
To praise God.
Examples
- The congregation gathered to magnify the Lord.
- Her testimony encouraged others to magnify the Lord.
- The song’s chorus repeats the line, “Magnify the Lord.”
Learner examples
- We magnify the Lord.