expand

/ɪkˈspænd/

//ɪkˈspænd// verb

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

"expand" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“expand” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #3,944 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#3,944
frequency rank, English
6
letters
9
tracked misspellings
7
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

expand vs expat
67% similar
expand vs extend
67% similar
expand vs extant
67% similar

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

Key facts for expand
PropertyValue
Headwordexpand
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɪkˈspænd/
Letters6
Frequency rank#3,944
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs7
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “expand” 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). expand 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 expand is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɪkˈspænd/. Corpus data places it at rank #3,944 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 11 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for expand, with forms such as "epxand", "exapnd", and "expadn". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. It also participates in 7 confusable-pair relationships, "expat", "extend", "extant", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandere (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”). Doublet of spawn. The correct English form is expand, spelled E-X-P-A-N-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
  2. 2
    To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  3. 3
    To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  4. 4
    To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
  5. 5
    To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
  6. 6
    To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number (which yields a fraction of equal value).
  7. 7
    To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.
  8. 8
    To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.
  9. 9
    To speak or write at length or in detail.
  10. 10
    To feel generous or optimistic.
  11. 11
    In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to show the subentries of (an entry).

Etymology

Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandere (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”). Doublet of spawn.

Synonyms

open outspreadspread outunfoldenlargeelaborateexpand on

Antonyms

contractcontractlimitlimitfactor

This word in other languages

ampliar(Español)agrandir(Français)expandieren(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: epxand,exapnd,expadn,expandd,expannd,expnad,exppand,exxpand,xepand

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of expand - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

epxand2exapnd2expadn2expandd1expannd1expnad2exppand1exxpand1
Edit distance from "expand"

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 "expand"?
"expand" is spelled E-X-P-A-N-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ɪkˈspænd/.
What does "expand" mean?
As a verb, "expand" means: To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
What words are commonly confused with "expand"?
"expand" is commonly confused with "expat", "extend", "extant". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "expand"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "expand" is /ɪkˈspænd/. 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 "expand"?
Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandere (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”). Doublet of spawn. 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 “expand”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is E-X-P-A-N-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɪkˈspænd/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “expat” - see the side-by-side comparison. expand vs expat
  • 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