magnify

UK: /ˈmægnɪfaɪ/ US: /ˈmægnəˌfaɪ/ ,(mag′nə fī′)

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

magnifies

v 3rd person singular

magnifying

v pres p

magnified

v past

magnified

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mag•ni•fy /ˈmægnəˌfaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to increase the apparent size of:
   Binoculars magnify images.
2. to exaggerate;
   overstate:
   to magnify one's difficulties.

mag•ni•fi•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mag•ni•fy  (mag′nə fī′), v., -fied, -fy•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does.
2. to make greater in actual size;
   enlarge:
   to magnify a drawing in preparing for a fresco.
3. to cause to seem greater or more important;
   attribute too much importance to;
   exaggerate:
   to magnify one's difficulties.
4. to make more exciting;
   intensify;
   dramatize;
   heighten:
   The playwright magnified the conflict to get her point across.
5. [Archaic.] to extol;
   praise:
   to magnify the Lord.

v.i. 

6. to increase or be able to increase the apparent or actual size of an object.

• Latin magnificāre. See magni-, -fy
• Middle English magnifien 1350–1400

mag′ni•fi′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. augment, increase, amplify.
• 3. overstate.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. reduce.
• 3. minimize.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

magnify / ˈmæɡnɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)

1. to increase, cause to increase, or be increased in apparent size, as through the action of a lens, microscope, etc
2. to exaggerate or become exaggerated in importance: don't magnify your troubles
3. (transitive) to glorify

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin magnificāre to praise; see magnific

ˈmagniˌfiable adjective