magnify

Magnify is a verb meaning to increase the apparent size of an object or image, or to make something seem more significant or intense. The word derives from Latin magnus meaning “great,” with the verb-forming suffix -fy, passing through Old French magnifier into English.

In optics, magnification is the process or result of making an object appear larger than its actual size. A magnifying glass, microscope, or telescope alters the angular size of the image as perceived by the eye or increases the linear dimensions on a recording medium. Magnification is typically expressed as a dimensionless factor, such as 2x, 10x, or 100x, indicating how many times larger the image appears compared with the real object. The quality of magnification depends on the optical design, resolution, and, for microscopes, numerical aperture.

Digital magnification refers to enlarging images electronically, such as by zooming in on a photograph or video. This can reveal detail but may reduce image clarity if the resolution is limited. In computing and accessibility, magnification tools allow users to zoom into screen content for easier viewing, including built-in features on operating systems and standalone applications.

Figuratively, magnify can describe the act of emphasizing or exaggerating a detail or problem, or attributing greater importance to something than warranted.

See also magnification, zoom, and magnifier.