dilate
9 synonyms and 4 antonyms for dilate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To become or make wider, larger, or more open.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To become or make wider, larger, or more open.
“Her pupils dilated in the dark room.”
Opposites
2. verb
(formal) To speak or write about something at length.
“He dilated on the subject for nearly an hour.”
Opposites
How to use dilate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pupils dilate
dilate the cervix
Etymology
From Latin dilatare, "to spread out," from dis- plus latus, "wide."
Full origin of dilate →Frequently asked questions
What does “dilate” mean?
The word “dilate” means to become or make wider, larger, or more open. In plain terms, to widen or expand, especially used for pupils, blood vessels, or the cervix.
How do you pronounce “dilate”?
“Dilate” is pronounced deye-LAYT (/daɪˈleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dilate” in a sentence?
Here is “dilate” used in a sentence: “Her pupils dilated in the dark room.”
What part of speech is “dilate”?
“Dilate” is a verb.
Where does the word “dilate” come from?
The word “dilate” comes from Latin. From Latin dilatare, "to spread out," from dis- plus latus, "wide.".
How many meanings does “dilate” have?
“Dilate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to become or make wider, larger, or more open.
