To enlarge means to make something bigger. When you enlarge a photograph, you increase its size so you can see more detail. When a company enlarges its factory, it adds more space for workers and machines. A magnifying glass enlarges tiny print so it's easier to read.

You can enlarge physical things, like when a city enlarges its borders by adding new neighborhoods, or when you enlarge a hole in the ground by digging more dirt out of it. You can also enlarge ideas and understanding: a good book might enlarge your view of the world by introducing you to new perspectives and possibilities.

The word suggests intentional growth or expansion. A balloon enlarges when you blow air into it. Your pupils enlarge in dim light to let in more light. When doctors need a closer look at something, they enlarge an X-ray image on their computer screen.

Enlargement is the noun form: “The enlargement of the school included six new classrooms.” Something that has been made bigger is enlarged: “The enlarged map showed streets that were invisible on the smaller version.”