expanding

/ɪkˈspændɪŋ/
increasing in size or scope

The company is expanding its operations into Asia.

The business is growing by entering new markets in Asia.


general

Increasing in size, volume, or scope; growing larger.

The universe is constantly expanding.

The universe is getting larger over time.

Commonly used as a present participle of the verb 'expand' or as an adjective describing growth.

Business
formal

Extending into new markets, areas, or fields of activity.

We are expanding our client base.

We are acquiring more customers.

Frequently used in corporate contexts to describe growth strategies.

Technology
formal

Becoming more detailed or comprehensive.

The software supports expanding file formats.

The software can handle a growing variety of file types.

Used to describe capabilities that are increasing in range or complexity.

Collocations

rapidly expandinggrowing very quicklyexpanding marketa market that is growing in sizeexpanding horizonsbroadening one's knowledge or experience

Related Phrases

expand onphrasal verb
to give more details about a subject
expanding universephrase
the concept that space itself is growing

Pro Tip

Verb vs. Adjective

Check if 'expanding' describes an action happening now (verb) or a characteristic of a noun (adjective). E.g., 'The balloon is expanding' (verb) vs. 'an expanding economy' (adjective).

Gold Rule

Context Matters

In business, 'expanding' usually refers to market reach or revenue, not physical office size, unless specified.

Word Origin

From Latin 'expandere' (to stretch out), from 'ex-' (out) + 'patere' (to lie open).

Usage Notes

Can function as a verb (present participle) or an adjective. In business, it often implies strategic growth rather than just physical size.

Word Breakdown

expand
to make larger
root
+
-ing
present participle suffix
suffix
English Dictionary