magnify

MAGNIH-feye

Magnify (verb) means to make something look bigger, usually with a lens, microscope, or similar device. Example: “The telescope magnifies distant stars so they appear brighter and closer.”

verb

To make something look bigger, usually with a lens, microscope, or similar device.

"The telescope magnifies distant stars so they appear brighter and closer."

"Use the app to magnify the text if it's too small to read."

To make a problem, feeling, or effect bigger or more intense than it really is.

"Stress tends to magnify small annoyances into major arguments."

To praise or glorify, especially in religious language.

""My soul doth magnify the Lord" is a well-known line from scripture."

How to use magnify

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make something appear or feel bigger — either literally through a lens, or emotionally by exaggerating it.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "amplify", which is specifically about increasing sound or signal strength rather than visual size or importance.

Easily confused with

amplify →

Common pairings

magnify an image magnify the problem magnify the effect

Word forms

magnified past tense, magnifies singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Use the app to _____ the text if it's too small to read.

Etymology

From Latin magnificare, "to make great", from magnificus, "doing great things".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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enlarge exaggerate amplify blow up overdraw overstate hyperbolize hyperbolise

Related words

increase grow describe extend expand explode shrink maximize

Rhymes for magnify

unify codify verify pacify notify purify modify qualify amplify crucify specify falsify

See all rhymes for magnify →

Frequently asked questions

What does “magnify” mean?

The word “magnify” means to make something look bigger, usually with a lens, microscope, or similar device. In plain terms, to make something appear or feel bigger — either literally through a lens, or emotionally by exaggerating it.

How do you pronounce “magnify”?

“Magnify” is pronounced MAGNIH-feye (/ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “magnify” in a sentence?

Here is “magnify” used in a sentence: “Use the app to magnify the text if it's too small to read.”

What part of speech is “magnify”?

“Magnify” is a verb.

Where does the word “magnify” come from?

The word “magnify” comes from Latin. From Latin magnificare, "to make great", from magnificus, "doing great things".

How many meanings does “magnify” have?

“Magnify” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something look bigger, usually with a lens, microscope, or similar device.

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