amplify
Other forms: amplified; amplifying; amplifies
The verb amplify means to crank up the volume. Speakers amplify, or raise, the volume of the noise coming through a microphone so that everyone at the rock show can hear.
Amplify comes from the Old French word amplifier meaning "to enlarge or expand." It refers to making a sound “expand,” but it can also crank up something like a disagreement — if you spread rumors, you might amplify an argument. It can “enlarge” an idea — if you don't realize how bad your health is, your doctor might amplify your test results by explaining them to you in simple, and possibly frightening terms.
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increase the volume of
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increase in size, volume or significance
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exaggerate or make bigger
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to enlarge beyond bounds or the truthsynonyms: exaggerate, hyperbolise, hyperbolize, magnify, overdraw, overstate
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Vocabulary lists containing amplify
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