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to extend

to extend

680 3.2
To make something reach farther, such as more places or people
  • verb
  • /ɪkˈstɛnd/
translation icon : ampliar
  • The effects of thawing will also extend far beyond the Arctic.
  • extend the period
  • extend the study
  • extend the findings

You've created this brand that extends far past that.

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Examples

  • All we're going to do is extend our side lengths.

  • There are also options to extend the loan term.

  • A couple of years later we extended this so it became worldwide.

  • State courts often extend voting hours and things like that.

  • Oh, so you can extend your vacation?

  • But her achievements extend far beyond the runway.

  • All this is evidence of authentic learning that extends beyond the lesson and even the classroom.

    Academic text (2012)
  • We'll extend the house-to-house canvas by four blocks.

  • NATO allies are, however, likely to extend their presence on the ground in the Baltic state.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The teacher decided to extend the deadline for the assignment to give students more time.

Synonyms

to expand
vsto extend
805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

is similar but also covers duration and influence, not only growth in size
to spread
vsto extend
664 1.6

To put a thin layer over a surface

includes that covering but also means lasting longer or widening influence
to carry
vsto extend
535 3.4

Extend an effect into another place or time

is more general, covering physical, temporal, and influence increases
to continue
vsto extend
227 1.1

To last over a distance or time

adds active increase or expansion, not only passive continuation
to cover
vsto extend
192 3.3

To go across an area or distance

is more general, also implying active increase of range or influence
to stretch
vsto extend
192 4.8

Make something seem bigger than it really is

is similar but generally neutral, without suggesting exaggeration
to prolong
vsto extend
96 3.9

To make something last longer

is broader, also including spatial reach and increase in influence
to broaden
vsto extend
92 3.9

To make or become wider and include more things

is broader, also applying to time, distance, and influence increases
to enlarge
vsto extend
70 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

covers size change but also duration, scope, and influence beyond physical growth
to extend to
vsto extend
58 3.4

Reach up to a certain point or limit

is broader, meaning increase in time, area, influence, or scope
to lengthen
vsto extend
34 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

is more general, also covering increase of scope or influence
to elongate
vsto extend
16 5.8

To make something longer by stretching or pulling it

includes that physical lengthening but also nonphysical scope or duration increases
to draw out
vsto extend
9 4.0

Make a conversation or event last longer than usual

is the neutral act of making duration longer without negative sense
to protract
vsto extend
4 7.8

To make something last longer than it needs to

shares time extension but is neutral, not implying excess
to stretch along
vsto extend
2 4.2

To continue for a long distance along a narrow area

is broader, applying to many shapes of area and to time or scope
to outstretch
vsto extend
1 4.2

To reach farther than something else, for example an arm or bridge

is wider, including temporal and abstract increases beyond physical reach

Antonyms

1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

Idioms

to extend a hand
  • Informal
5 2.9

To offer help or friendship by reaching out your hand to someone

2 4.2

Offer to make peace after an argument

Phrasal Verbs

58 3.4

Reach up to a certain point or limit

To make a big effort beyond your usual limits

How Extensive

to encompass
87 5.1
to expand
805 2.5
to extend
680 3.2

Surface Forms

extend infinitive
extended past
extended past participle
extending present participle
extends third person singular

Morphology

extend = tend (semi-transparent) = ex + tend

Formally analyzable as ex- + tend, but the common modern sense of 'tend' differs from the 'stretch/extend' sense, so the semantic connection may not be fully transparent to learners.

Etymology

The word extend comes from the Latin extendere, from ex- 'out' and tendere 'to stretch'. So to extend an area or influence is like 'stretching' it out to reach more places, which explains its meaning of increasing range or scope.