verb
magnify
MAGNIH-feye
verb
1
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."
2
To make a problem, feeling, or effect bigger or more intense than it really is.
"Stress tends to magnify small annoyances into major arguments."
3
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
magnify an image
magnify the problem
magnify the effect
Word Forms
magnified past tense, magnifies singular
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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".