Enlarge vs. Expand — What's the Difference?

To make larger in size.

To increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope of; enlarge

To make larger in scope or effect; expand

To express at length or in detail; enlarge on

To become larger; grow or swell.

To open (something) up or out; spread out

To speak or write at greater length or in greater detail; elaborate

(Mathematics) To write (a quantity) as a sum of terms in an extended form.

(transitive) To make (something) larger.

To become greater in size, volume, quantity, or scope

(intransitive) To grow larger.

To speak or write at length or in detail

(transitive) To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc.

To open up or out; unfold

(intransitive) To speak or write at length upon or on (some subject); expand; elaborate

(transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

(archaic) To release; to set at large.

(transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).

(nautical) To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.

(transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.

(legal) To extend the time allowed for compliance with (an order or rule).

To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.

To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge one's house.

To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.

To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge enlarges the mind.

To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value

To set at large or set free.

(intransitive) To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.

To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume of air enlarges by rarefaction.

(intransitive) To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.

To speak or write at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to expatiate; to dilate.

(intransitive) To speak or write at length or in detail.

To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; - said of the wind.

(intransitive) To feel generous or optimistic.

Make larger;

To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.

Make large;

To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; - opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.

Become larger or bigger

To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5.

Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;

To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy.

Extend in one or more directions;

Become larger in size or volume or quantity;

Make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity;

Grow stronger;

Exaggerate or make bigger;

Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;

Expand the influence of;