Expand vs. Expound: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 29, 2024
Expand means to increase in size, scope, or extent, while expound means to explain something in detail or clarify a concept.
Key Differences
Expand means to grow in size, volume, or scope. For instance, a business might expand its operations into new markets. Expanding involves making something larger or more extensive, whether it's a physical space or an abstract idea. Expound, on the other hand, refers to explaining or describing something in detail. A teacher might expound on a complex topic during a lecture. This term is focused on providing clarity and understanding through detailed explanation.
When you expand on an idea, you add more information to make it broader or more comprehensive. This process involves increasing the amount of content or detail. Expounding on an idea, however, involves breaking it down and explaining each part thoroughly to ensure comprehension. The term expand can be applied to both physical objects and abstract concepts. For example, one can expand a business, expand a balloon, or expand an essay. Expound is used specifically for explaining or interpreting information or ideas, such as expounding on a theory or a text.
In writing, expanding a section means adding more content to elaborate on the points made. Conversely, expounding on a section means providing a thorough explanation or interpretation of the points already presented.
Expand is often associated with growth and increase in dimensions or scope. Expound is associated with detail, clarity, and explanation. Both terms enhance understanding, but through different methods one through enlargement and the other through detailed elucidation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Increase in size, scope, or extent
Explain something in detail
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Application
Physical and abstract growth
Detailed explanation or clarification
Context
Business, objects, ideas
Concepts, theories, texts
Usage Example
Expand a business into new markets
Expound on a philosophical theory
Focus
Enlargement
Elucidation
Expand and Expound Definitions
Expand
To extend over a wider area.
The river expands as it flows downstream.
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Expound
To interpret.
She expounded the poem for the students.
Expand
To express in greater detail.
She decided to expand her thesis.
Expound
To make clear.
The lawyer expounded the legal implications.
Expand
To open up or out.
The flower expands in the morning sun.
Expound
To explain in detail.
The professor expounded on the theory of relativity.
Expand
To become larger.
His knowledge expanded over the years.
Expound
To set forth or state.
He expounded his views on the matter.
Expand
To increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope of; enlarge
Expanded her store by adding a second room.
Expound
To explain in detail; elucidate
She expounded her theory on the origin of the conflict.
Expand
To express at length or in detail; enlarge on
Expanded his remarks afterward.
Expound
To make known or set forth; present
"In the 1956 campaign he cheerfully expounded views that had gravely disturbed him four years earlier" (Helen Sasson).
Expand
To open (something) up or out; spread out
The bird expanded its wings and flew off.
Expound
To make a detailed statement
The professor was expounding on a favorite topic.
Expand
(Mathematics) To write (a quantity) as a sum of terms in an extended form.
Expound
(transitive) To set out the meaning of; to explain or discuss at length
Expand
To become greater in size, volume, quantity, or scope
Air expands when heated. This critic's influence is expanding.
Expound
(intransitive) To make a statement, especially at length.
He expounded often on the dangers of the imperial presidency.
Expand
To speak or write at length or in detail
Expand on a favorite topic.
Expound
To lay open; to expose to view; to examine.
He expounded both his pockets.
Expand
To open up or out; unfold
The chair expands to form a daybed.
Expound
To lay open the meaning of; to explain; to clear of obscurity; to interpret; as, to expound a text of Scripture, a law, a word, a meaning, or a riddle.
Expound this matter more fully to me.
Expand
(transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.
Expound
Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;
She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation
Expand
(transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
A flower expands its leaves.
Expound
State;
Set forth one's reasons
Expand
(transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
Expound
To elucidate.
The author expounded the themes of the novel.
Expand
To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
Use the binomial theorem to expand .
Expand
To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
The expression expands to .
Expand
To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
Expand
(intransitive) To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.
Many materials expand when heated.
This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table.
Expand
(intransitive) To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.
Expand
(intransitive) To speak or write at length or in detail.
He expanded on his plans for the business.
Expand
(intransitive) To feel generous or optimistic.
Expand
To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.
Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
Expand
To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; - opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.
Expand
To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5.
Expand
To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy.
Expand
Extend in one or more directions;
The dough expands
Expand
Become larger in size or volume or quantity;
His business expanded rapidly
Expand
Make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity;
Expand the house by adding another wing
Expand
Grow stronger;
The economy was booming
Expand
Exaggerate or make bigger;
The charges were inflated
Expand
Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;
She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation
Expand
Expand the influence of;
The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent
Expand
To increase in size.
The company plans to expand its headquarters.
FAQs
Is expanding only used for physical objects?
No, expanding can be used for abstract concepts as well, such as expanding an argument or a theory.
What does it mean to expand something?
Expanding means increasing the size, scope, or extent of something. For example, a business can expand its operations.
When would you use the word expound?
Use expound when you need to provide a detailed explanation or interpretation of a concept or theory.
Can you expand an idea?
Yes, you can expand an idea by adding more information and detail to it.
What does it mean to expound a text?
Expounding a text means to explain its meaning in detail.
Can expanding and expounding be used interchangeably?
No, they have distinct meanings: expanding is about growth, while expounding is about detailed explanation.
What is an example of expanding a business?
An example is opening new branches in different cities to increase market reach.
Is expanding always positive?
Not necessarily; expanding can have both positive and negative implications depending on the context.
Can you expound on legal matters?
Yes, lawyers often expound on legal matters to clarify their implications.
Can a speech be expanded?
Yes, a speech can be expanded by adding more content and elaborating on key points.
How does one expound on a philosophical idea?
One expounds on a philosophical idea by providing a thorough and detailed explanation of its principles.
What is the opposite of expound?
The opposite of expound could be simplify or summarize, as it involves less detailed explanation.
How is expounding different from expanding?
Expounding involves explaining something in detail, while expanding means making something larger or more comprehensive.
Does expounding require expertise?
Yes, expounding often requires a deep understanding of the subject matter to explain it effectively.
Is expanding a gradual process?
Expanding can be gradual or rapid, depending on the context and circumstances.
What is the opposite of expand?
The opposite of expand is contract or shrink.
Can an essay be expanded?
Yes, an essay can be expanded by adding more paragraphs and detailed points.
What skills are needed to expound effectively?
Effective expounding requires clarity, coherence, and thorough knowledge of the subject.
Can you expand a balloon?
Yes, a balloon expands when you blow air into it.
Can you expound on a scientific theory?
Yes, scientists and educators often expound on theories to make them understandable.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
