How to pronounce expand
Say it like ik-SPAND. Expand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPAND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce expand. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SPAND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Expand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPANDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of expand
American and British speakers say expand in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈspænd/ in the US and /ɪkˈspænd/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SPAND.
What does expand mean?
- extend in one or more directions“The dough expands”
- become larger in size or volume or quantity“his business expanded rapidly”
- make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity“expand the house by adding another wing”
Where does expand come from?
Recorded in Middle English since 1422 (as expanden, expaunden), from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Latin expandō (“to spread out”), itself from ex- (“out, outwards”) + pandō (“to spread”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with expand
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of expand.
Questions about saying expand
How do you pronounce expand?
Say ik-SPAND. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈspænd/. In British English it is /ɪkˈspænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in expand?
Expand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPAND). Broken into parts: ik · SPAND.
Do Americans and Brits say expand the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈspænd/ and the British form is /ɪkˈspænd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.