expand
Definitions
To make or become larger in size, number, or amount.
扩大；增大；膨胀
To develop a business, activity, or area into new places or fields.
扩张；拓展（业务、领域）
To give a fuller account by adding more detail (usually 'expand on/upon').
详述；展开论述（常用 expand on/upon）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedex- (out) + pand (spread, from Latin pandere) = 'to spread out.' The picture is opening something wide — pulling its edges apart so it covers more. That spreading works literally (metal expands with heat), in scope (a company expands into Asia), and in talk (expand on an idea = open it up with more detail).
Root pand still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
Expand is the most transparent pand word, but watch the phrasal expand on/upon. It doesn't mean 'add something from outside' — it means spreading the topic itself wider, opening it up so more of it shows. 'Could you expand on that?' asks you to unfold the same idea in more detail, not to bring in a new one.
Common Collocations
- 1.expand into扩展到
- 2.expand on详述
- 3.expand rapidly迅速扩张
- 4.expand the business扩大业务
- 5.rapidly expanding快速增长的
Example Sentences
- 1.
The company plans to expand into the Asian market next year.
- 2.
Metal expands when it is heated and contracts when it cools.
- 3.
Could you expand on your last point a little more?
- 4.
Her business expanded rapidly over the past five years.
Easily Confused
expand vs extend — expand spreads out in all directions / grows bigger overall (expand a business, a balloon expands). extend stretches further in one direction or lengthens (extend a deadline, extend a road). Getting bigger all over → expand; reaching further along → extend.