enlarge

/ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/

//ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"enlarge" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“enlarge” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #22,362 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#22,362
frequency rank, English
7
letters
10
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To make (something) larger.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

enlarge vs enlarged
88% similar
enlarge vs engage
71% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for enlarge
PropertyValue
Headwordenlarge
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/
Letters7
Frequency rank#22,362
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “enlarge” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). enlarge lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for enlarge is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/. Corpus data places it at rank #22,362 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 7 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for enlarge, with forms such as "elnarge", "enalrge", and "enlagre". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "enlarged", "engage", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargier, enlargir. By surface analysis, en- + large. The correct English form is enlarge, spelled E-N-L-A-R-G-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To make (something) larger.
  2. 2
    To grow larger.
  3. 3
    To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc.
  4. 4
    To speak or write at length upon or on (some subject); expand; elaborate
  5. 5
    To release; to set at large.
  6. 6
    To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.
  7. 7
    To extend the time allowed for compliance with (an order or rule).

Etymology

From Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargier, enlargir. By surface analysis, en- + large.

Synonyms

embiggenenlargenlargengreatendilateexpatiate

This word in other languages

ampliar(Español)agrandir(Français)vergrößern(Deutsch)aumentar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: elnarge,enalrge,enlagre,enlareg,enlargge,enlarrge,enllarge,enlrage,ennlarge,nelarge

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of enlarge - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

elnarge2enalrge2enlagre2enlareg2enlargge1enlarrge1enllarge1enlrage2
Edit distance from "enlarge"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "enlarge"?
"enlarge" is spelled E-N-L-A-R-G-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/.
What does "enlarge" mean?
As a verb, "enlarge" means: To make (something) larger.
What words are commonly confused with "enlarge"?
"enlarge" is commonly confused with "enlarged", "engage". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "enlarge"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "enlarge" is /ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "enlarge"?
From Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargier, enlargir. By surface analysis, en- + large. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “enlarge”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is E-N-L-A-R-G-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “enlarged” - see the side-by-side comparison. enlarge vs enlarged
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list