What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amplify
Example
Can you amplify the sound so that everyone can hear it? [amplify: verb]
Example
The speaker tried to amplify the importance of the issue. [amplify: verb]
magnify
Example
She used a magnifying glass to magnify the small print. [magnify: verb]
Example
The media tends to magnify minor issues and make them seem like major problems. [magnify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Magnify is more commonly used than amplify in everyday language. Magnify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while amplify is less common and typically used in specific technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amplify and magnify?
While amplify is typically associated with a technical or scientific tone, magnify is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.