magnify
The microscope can magnify objects up to 1000 times their actual size.
The microscope enlarges tiny objects so they become visible to the human eye.
To make something appear larger than it is, especially through a lens or optical instrument.
A magnifying glass is used to magnify small print for easier reading.
A magnifying glass enlarges tiny text so you can read it clearly.
Often used in scientific, medical, or optical contexts to describe the action of lenses or software.
To exaggerate the importance or impact of something.
The media tends to magnify minor issues into major scandals.
News outlets often overstate small problems, making them seem more serious than they are.
Common in discussions about media bias or public perception.
To increase the intensity or strength of something.
Stress can magnify feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
Stress intensifies emotional responses, making anxiety feel more overwhelming.
Used metaphorically to describe the amplification of emotions or situations.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'amplify'
'Magnify' is typically used for visual enlargement (e.g., through a lens), while 'amplify' refers to sound or signal strength. Example: A microscope magnifies cells, but a speaker amplifies sound.
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative Use
Use 'magnify' literally for physical enlargement (e.g., 'The lens magnifies the image'). Use it figuratively for exaggeration or intensification (e.g., 'The report magnifies the risks').
Word Origin
From Latin *magnificare* (to glorify, enlarge), derived from *magnus* (great, large) + *-ficare* (to make). The sense of 'making larger' emerged in the 14th century, while the figurative sense of 'exaggerating' developed later.
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'magnify' is transitive and requires an object. In technical contexts, it often implies the use of an instrument (e.g., microscope, telescope). In figurative uses, it suggests distortion or overemphasis.