dilate Definition
- 1make or become wider, larger, or more open.
- 2enlarge or expand in size, volume, or quantity.
- 3speak or write at length on (a subject).
Using dilate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dilate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The pupils of her eyes dilated in the dark.
Example
The blood vessels in his face dilated with anger.
Example
The drug dilates the blood vessels.
Example
She dilated on the subject for hours.
dilate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with dilate
dilate on/upon
to speak or write at length about something
Example
He dilated upon the subject of taxes for hours.
Example
The doctor used a bright light to dilate my pupils during the eye exam.
dilate blood vessels
to cause the blood vessels to become wider
Example
The medication dilates blood vessels and improves circulation.
Origins of dilate
from Latin 'dilatare', from 'dis-' (apart) + 'latus' (wide)
Summary: dilate in Brief
The verb 'dilate' [dīˈlāt] means to make or become wider, larger, or more open. It can refer to physical changes such as the dilation of pupils or blood vessels, or to speaking or writing at length on a subject. Examples include 'The drug dilates the blood vessels' and 'She dilated on the subject for hours.'