Cool MateEnlarge vs Expand vs Increase vs Widen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enlarge
Expand
Increase
Widen
| Enlarge | Expand | Increase | Widen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈlɑːdʒ//🇺🇸 //ɛnˈlɑrdʒ// | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈspænd//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈspænd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈwaɪdn/","/ˈwaɪdnz/","/ˈwaɪdnd/","/ˈwaɪdnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈwaɪdn/","/ˈwaɪdnz/","/ˈwaɪdnd/","/ˈwaɪdnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something bigger. | to make something bigger or more in amount | To make something larger in amount or size. | To make something bigger in size, especially from side to side. |
| Example | The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. | The company plans to expand its operations into new markets. | We need to increase our budget for the project. | The city plans to widen the main road to reduce traffic congestion. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | enlarge an image, enlarge a space, enlarge a photograph, enlarge a product, enlarge one's understanding | expand a business, expand horizons, expand your mind, expand on an idea, expand the service | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in | considerably, dramatically, greatly, from, into, to, considerably, dramatically, greatly, from, into, to |
| Antonyms | shrink, decrease, diminish | shrink, contract, reduce | decrease, reduce, diminish | narrow, constrict |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'expand'; 'enlarge' is specific to size., Using 'enlarge' without an object, which is often incorrect. | Confusing 'expand' with 'extend', which refers to prolonging something rather than making it larger., Using 'expand' without an object (e.g., 'expand' instead of 'expand it')., Incorrectly using 'expand' in situations where 'grow' or 'increase' is more appropriate. | Using 'increases' as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'increase' with 'decrease' which has the opposite meaning., Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'increased' when it should be 'increased' without a change. | Using 'widden' instead of 'widen'., Confusing 'widen' with 'widened' when speaking about the past., Mixing up 'widen' with 'broaden'. |
| Usage notes | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about images, spaces, or physical objects. Avoid in casual speech if simpler words like 'make bigger' are available. | Use 'expand' for increasing size, numbers, or range. It's appropriate in academic or formal contexts but can also be used informally. Avoid using it in contexts where the meaning is of a steady state rather than change. | Use 'increase' in contexts involving growth, improvement, or enhancement. It is appropriate for both spoken and written English, but avoid in overly casual conversations where simpler words like 'go up' might be preferred. | Use 'widen' in general contexts like architecture or personal experiences (e.g., widen your perspective). Avoid in very informal conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Enlarge vs Expand vs Increase vs Widen
What's the difference between Enlarge, Expand, Increase, and Widen?
Enlarge: To make something bigger. Expand: to make something bigger or more in amount Increase: To make something larger in amount or size. Widen: To make something bigger in size, especially from side to side.
Which is more common: Enlarge, Expand, Increase, and Widen?
Increase is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Enlarge, Expand, Increase, and Widen?
Widen is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Enlarge: The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. Expand: The company plans to expand its operations into new markets. Increase: We need to increase our budget for the project. Widen: The city plans to widen the main road to reduce traffic congestion.
Can I use Enlarge, Expand, Increase, and Widen interchangeably?
Not always. Enlarge, Expand, Increase, and Widen are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.