amplify

[ am-pluh-fahy ]
/ ˈæm pləˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), am·pli·fied, am·pli·fy·ing.

to make larger, greater, or stronger; enlarge; extend.
to expand in stating or describing, as by details or illustrations; clarify by expanding.
Electricity. to increase the amplitude of; cause amplification in.
Archaic. to exaggerate.

verb (used without object), am·pli·fied, am·pli·fy·ing.

to discourse at length; expatiate or expand one's remarks, speech, etc. (usually followed by on): The preacher amplified on the theme of brotherly love.

Origin of amplify

1375–1425; late Middle English amplifyen < Middle French amplifier < Latin amplificāre to increase, augment. See ample, -ify

OTHER WORDS FROM amplify

am·pli·fi·a·ble, adjective o·ver·am·pli·fy, verb, o·ver·am·pli·fied, o·ver·am·pli·fy·ing. un·am·pli·fi·a·ble, adjective un·am·pli·fied, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for amplify

British Dictionary definitions for amplify

amplify
/ (ˈæmplɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(tr) to increase in size, extent, effect, etc, as by the addition of extra material; augment; enlarge; expand
electronics to produce amplification of (electrical signals); increase the amplitude of (signals)
(tr) US to exaggerate
(intr) to expand or enlarge a speech, narrative, etc

Derived forms of amplify

amplifiable, adjective

Word Origin for amplify

C15: from Old French amplifier, ultimately from Latin amplificāre to enlarge, from amplus spacious + facere to make