What does enlargen mean?
"Enlargen" is a nonstandard verb meaning to make something larger, functioning as an informal or dialectal alternative to the standard word "enlarge." Although it is not recognized in major dictionaries, it surfaces occasionally in everyday speech and informal writing, likely formed through analogy with verbs like "strengthen" and "lengthen," where the suffix -en creates a verb from an adjective base. Because "enlarge" already exists as the established verb derived from "large," "enlargen" is generally considered redundant, and style guides discourage its use in formal contexts. Writers who want precision and credibility should prefer "enlarge," "expand," "extend," or "broaden" depending on the sense required. Nevertheless, "enlargen" offers an interesting case study in how speakers coin forms: the pull of familiar patterns can produce a double-marked verb that persists in speech despite lacking official sanction. It carries no special connotation beyond informality, and its meaning is transparent enough that listeners readily understand it, even while recognizing it as unconventional.
verb"Enlargen" is a nonstandard variant of "enlarge," meaning to make something larger in size, extent, or scope.
- To make something larger in size, extent, or scope (nonstandard; standard form is "enlarge").
"The council voted to enlargen the parking lot to accommodate more visitors."
"They decided to enlargen the kitchen during the renovation."
"The editor suggested ways to enlargen the article's scope."
"Enlargen" isn't officially in the dictionary — it's what linguists call an irregular verb formation that caught on anyway, proving speakers love doubling up on their suffixes even when the language pushes back.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enlargen
"Enlargen" is a modern formation built from the adjective "large," which entered Middle English from Old French "large," ultimately deriving from Latin "largus," meaning generous or abundant. The prefix en- (from Latin/French) plus the suffix -en together mark the verb, producing a doubly suffixed form by analogy with established verbs like "strengthen" and "lengthen." Because the standard verb "enlarge" was already well established from Anglo-Norman and Old French "enlarger," "enlargen" never gained dictionary acceptance and remains a chiefly informal, dialectal variant.
How enlargen is actually used
"Enlargen" is widely regarded as nonstandard and is not accepted in most dictionaries; it appears mainly in informal speech and dialectal use. In careful writing, "enlarge," "expand," or "widen" should be used instead. It may arise by analogy with pairs such as "strengthen" and "lengthen," where the suffix -en attaches to adjectives, though "large" already yields the standard verb "enlarge."
Easily confused with enlargen
"Enlarge" is the standard English verb meaning to make larger, while "enlargen" is a nonstandard blend (of "enlarge" and "widen/strengthen") that is best avoided in formal writing.