What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distension
Example
The distension of the balloon made it difficult to tie. [distension: noun]
Example
The patient complained of abdominal distension and pain. [distension: noun]
enlargement
Example
The enlargement of the photo revealed more details. [enlargement: noun]
Example
The doctor recommended an enlargement of the blood vessels to improve circulation. [enlargement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enlargement is more commonly used than distension in everyday language. Enlargement is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while distension is less common and primarily used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distension and enlargement?
Both distension and enlargement are formal words that are typically used in technical or medical contexts. However, enlargement can also be used in more casual or creative contexts such as photography or art.
