amplify

UK: /ˈæmplɪfaɪ/ US: /ˈæmpləˌfaɪ/ ,(am′plə fī′)

Inflections of 'amplify' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

amplifies

v 3rd person singular

amplifying

v pres p

amplified

v past

amplified

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

am•pli•fy /ˈæmpləˌfaɪ/   v., -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to make (sound) louder by mechanical or electronic means:
   [~ + object] The sounds of the guitar are then amplified and sent through the speakers.
2. to add to or expand by giving further details:
   [~ + (on + ) object] They asked the president to amplify (on) his earlier remarks.

am•pli•fi•ca•tion /ˌæmpləfɪˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable* countable] See -ampl-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

am•pli•fy  (am′plə fī′), v., -fied, -fy•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to make larger, greater, or stronger;
   enlarge;
   extend.
2. to expand in stating or describing, as by details or illustrations;
   clarify by expanding.
3. Electricity to increase the amplitude of;
   cause amplification in.
4. [Archaic.] to exaggerate.

v.i. 

5. to discourse at length;
   expatiate or expand one's remarks, speech, etc. (usually fol. by on):
   The preacher amplified on the theme of brotherly love.

• Latin amplificāre to increase, augment. See ample, -ify
• Middle French amplifier
• late Middle English amplifyen 1375–1425

am′pli•fi′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. increase, intensify, heighten.
• 2. widen, broaden, develop.

Antonyms

• 1. contract, reduce.
• 2. condense, abridge.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

amplify / ˈæmplɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)

1. (transitive) to increase in size, extent, effect, etc, as by the addition of extra material; augment; enlarge; expand
2. to produce amplification of (electrical signals); increase the amplitude of (signals)
3. (intransitive) to expand or enlarge a speech, narrative, etc

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French amplifier, ultimately from Latin amplificāre to enlarge, from amplus spacious + facere to make