Expanding: meaning, definitions and examples

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expanding

 

[ɪkˈspændɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

business

To increase in size or volume, typically through gradual growth or expansion.

Synonyms

develop, enlarge, extend, grow, spread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
expanding

used when something is increasing in size, range, or amount, often referring to non-physical things like markets or knowledge.

  • The company is expanding its operations overseas.
  • His influence in the political arena is rapidly expanding.
grow

indicates an increase in size, number, or value, and is often used for living things, businesses, or abstract concepts.

  • The plant will grow quickly with proper care.
  • Their business continues to grow each year.
develop

implies the process of improvement, creation, or evolution over time, often used for skills, projects, or areas.

  • They are working to develop new software.
  • She wants to develop her painting skills.
enlarge

primarily used for making something physically bigger or more extensive.

  • We plan to enlarge the kitchen next year.
  • The photograph was enlarged to show more detail.
extend

suggests making something longer in terms of time or physical length, often associated with deadlines, contracts, or physical objects.

  • The company decided to extend the deadline for the project.
  • We need to extend the fence around the garden.
spread

implies distributing or covering a larger area, often used for intangible things like news, diseases, or liquids.

  • The news about the merger spread rapidly.
  • Make sure to spread the butter evenly on the bread.

Examples of usage

  • The company is expanding its operations to new markets.
  • Our team is expanding to include more members.
  • The city is expanding its public transportation system.
  • The business is expanding rapidly due to high demand.
  • The company plans to expand its product line next year.
Context #2 | Verb

technology

To make a software or program larger or more comprehensive by adding new features or capabilities.

Synonyms

augment, enhance, enrich, improve, upgrade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
expanding

Use this word when discussing the increase in size, volume, or scope of something. It is often used in business, projects, territories, or physical objects.

  • The company is expanding its operations into new markets
  • Our knowledge is constantly expanding
enhance

Appropriate for improving the quality or value of something, often used for attributes, skills, or experiences.

  • She took a course to enhance her communication skills
  • The software update will enhance the user experience
enrich

Best used when referring to adding value or improving the quality of life or experiences, typically related to education, culture, or content.

  • Traveling can greatly enrich your life
  • The museum's new exhibit aims to enrich our understanding of ancient history
upgrade

Used when talking about replacing something with a better version, often used with technology, services, or products.

  • I decided to upgrade my phone to the latest model
  • We're planning to upgrade the office equipment
improve

Ideal for general situations when something is made better or more effective, widely applicable to performance, quality, or conditions.

  • We need to improve our customer service
  • This exercise will help you improve your strength
augment

This word is suitable when talking about adding something to make it better or larger, typically referring to plans, capabilities, or features.

  • They plan to augment their workforce with new hires
  • We need to augment our marketing strategy

Examples of usage

  • They are expanding the app's functionality with the latest update.
  • The company is expanding its software to include more advanced tools.
  • Our team is expanding the website to cater to a wider audience.
  • The developer plans to expand the game with new levels and characters.
  • The software company is expanding its product range to meet customer needs.
Context #3 | Noun

linguistics

The process of adding affixes or additional elements to a base to create a more complex word form.

Synonyms

adornment, amplification, derivation, extension, formation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
expanding

Used when something is growing in size, volume, or scope.

  • The company is expanding its operations into new markets
  • Her knowledge of the subject is constantly expanding
derivation

Used when discussing the origin or source of something, often in linguistics or mathematics.

  • The derivation of the word can be traced back to Latin
  • The derivation of the formula requires several complex steps
formation

Used when referring to the process of creating or arranging something into a structure or pattern.

  • The formation of the new club was announced yesterday
  • The birds flew in a V-formation across the sky
extension

Used when talking about prolonging the duration of something or adding more to an existing structure.

  • The deadline for the assignment was given an extension of two days
  • The house has a new extension, providing more living space
adornment

Used when discussing decorative items or the act of adding decorations to something.

  • The necklace was a beautiful adornment to her outfit
  • The tree's adornment with lights and ornaments made it look magical
amplification

Used when referring to increasing the volume of sound or adding more detail to a statement or concept.

  • The amplification of the music made it heard throughout the hall
  • The professor's amplification of the theory helped students understand it better

Examples of usage

  • Verb expanding can result in different tenses and forms.
  • Noun expanding often involves pluralization or modification.
  • Adjective expanding can change the degree or quality of a word.
  • The linguist studied the rules of expanding in the language.
  • Understanding expanding is important for language learners.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'expandere,' which means to spread out.
  • Middle English adopted the term in the 14th century, emphasizing the sense of increase.
  • The root word 'pan' also means 'to spread,' reflecting the nature of enlargement.

Science

  • In physics, expanding refers to the increase of volume in gases when heated.
  • The universe is expanding in a phenomenon known as cosmic expansion, leading to its ever-increasing size.
  • Water expands when it freezes, which is why ice floats on water.

Economics

  • In economic terms, expanding can refer to the growth of a market or an economy.
  • Businesses often expand by entering new markets or developing new products.
  • Expansion is typically seen as a sign of economic health, with increased employment and consumer spending.

Culture

  • Culturally, expanding ideas can lead to innovation and changes in social norms.
  • The expansion of the internet has led to global connectivity, changing how we share information.
  • Art movements often expand by incorporating diverse perspectives, enriching creativity.

Literature

  • The theme of expansion is prevalent in many literary works, symbolizing personal growth.
  • In poetry, the idea of expanding thoughts can reflect emotional depth and complexity.
  • Famous authors like J.R.R. Tolkien expanded entire worlds through their storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "expanding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expandindo

🇮🇳 विस्तारण

🇩🇪 expandierend

🇮🇩 mengembangkan

🇺🇦 розширення

🇵🇱 rozszerzający się

🇯🇵 拡大する

🇫🇷 expansion

🇪🇸 expandiendo

🇹🇷 genişleyen

🇰🇷 확장하는

🇸🇦 توسيع

🇨🇿 rozšiřující se

🇸🇰 rozširujúci sa

🇨🇳 扩展

🇸🇮 širjenje

🇮🇸 útvíkkun

🇰🇿 кеңею

🇬🇪 გაფართოება

🇦🇿 genişlənmə

🇲🇽 expandiendo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,484, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.