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” has 10 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #22,362. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#22,362
frequency rank, English
2,246
“E” headwords
10
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To make (something) larger.

Corpus desk

Index EN-enlarge · enlarge · English

enlarge · rank #22,362 · 10 variants · 2 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #22,362
  • LEN-LONG 7 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-LOW 2 pairs
  • VAR-MID 10 variants
  • BOOK-MID 2,246
  • PHOTO-FINISH Dutton

Nearest frequency peer: Dutton (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “enlarge”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “enlarge” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

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)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “enlarge”

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

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

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Same rarity band neighbours include “Dutton” (#22,361), “enlargement” (#22,363), “equate” (#22,364). Among 2,246 “E” headwords, “enlarge” is #22,362. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 10 spelling variants around enlarge (IPA /ɪnˈlɑːd͡ʒ/), averb. Corpus frequency is #22,362 among 2,246 “E” headwords. Wiktionary lists 7 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

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).

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how enlarge appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. We'll need to enlarge our budget if we want to include the helicopter ride in our holiday.
  2. Knowledge enlarges the mind.

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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "enlarge", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 7 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

expanse#22,368fanfare#22,373fireman#22,377Delaney#22,345

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (10 here; floor ≥5).

fondly10 variantsfrosty10 variantsgatsby10 variantsgearbox10 variants

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

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list