expand
gb/ɪkspˈænd/ us/ɪkspˈænd/
B1
Anglais
~ 2100
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
Increase size or amount
To make something bigger or more; to grow in size or amount.
Schéma d’usage :
to expand [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'expand' with 'extend'; 'extend' usually means to make something longer in time or space, while 'expand' means to make it bigger in size or scope.
Synonymes
enlarge (Focuses more on physical size rather than quantity or scope.)
Antonymes
shrink (Means to become smaller in size, amount, or extent.)
Collocations
expand a business
|expand operations
|expand the range
|expand rapidly
|expand capacity
Thèmes
business
|science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The company plans to expand its operations into Asia.
- They decided to expand the kitchen to make more room.
- The government is working to expand access to healthcare.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We want to expand our shop.
- He will expand the garden next year.
- The school will expand the library.
Verbe
B1
action
2
Become larger or greater
To get bigger in size, number, or amount.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] expands
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with 'explode'; 'expand' is gradual increase, not a sudden burst.
Synonymes
grow (A broader term that can refer to physical, abstract, or metaphorical increase.)
Antonymes
contract (Means to become smaller or tighter.)
Collocations
gas expands
|metal expands
|population expands
Thèmes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Hot air expands as it rises.
- The city's population has expanded rapidly in recent years.
- The metal will expand when heated.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Hot water expands when it gets hot.
- My town is expanding quickly.
- The balloon expands when you blow air into it.
Verbe
B2
action
3
Add detail or explanation
To say or write more about something so it is clearer or more complete.
Schéma d’usage :
to expand on [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'explain' instead; 'expand' emphasizes adding more detail to what was already said.
Synonymes
elaborate (Often used in formal contexts; may imply careful explanation.)
Antonymes
summarize (Means to present only the main points without extra detail.)
Collocations
expand on a point
|expand on an idea
|expand further
Thèmes
communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Could you expand on what you mean by that?
- She expanded on her earlier remarks during the meeting.
- The author expands on this theme in later chapters.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Please expand on your answer.
- He expanded on his story with more details.
- She expanded on her plan for the trip.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
expand
API
GB/ɪkspˈænd/
US/ɪkspˈænd/
Syllabes et accentuation
ex - pand (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pand)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: expand
- 3rd Person Singular: expands
- Present Participle: expanding
- Past: expanded
Famille de mots
Forms
expands
verb
expanding
verb
expanded
verb
Core family
expansion
noun B1
expandable
adjective
Related words
expanse
noun B2
expansive
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
contract
verb B1
contraction
noun B1
Expressions
expand into
1/ɪkspˈænd ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
Start operating in a new area
To start working in a new place or doing new kinds of work.
Exemples
- The company plans to expand into South America next year.
- They are expanding into the online market.
expand on
1/ɪkspˈænd ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Give more detail about something
To talk or write more about something by adding more information.
Exemples
- The teacher asked him to expand on his answer.
- Can you expand on your reasons for leaving?
expand upon
1/ɪkspˈænd əpˈɑn/
phrasal verb
formal
Give more detail about something (formal)
To talk or write more about something by adding extra details (formal).
Exemples
- The report expands upon last year's findings.
- She expanded upon her earlier comments during the conference.