ex|ot|ic / I gzɒ t I k/ ADJ Something that is exotic is unusual and interesting, usually because it comes from or is related to a distant country. □ …brilliantly coloured, exotic flowers. □ She flits from one exotic location to another. ● ex|oti|cal|ly ADV □ …exotically beautiful scenery.
ex|oti|ca / I gzɒ t I kə/ N‑PLURAL You use exotica to refer to objects which you think are unusual and interesting, usually because they come from or are related to a distant country.
ex|oti|cism / I gzɒ t I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Exoticism is the quality of seeming unusual or interesting, usually because of associations with a distant country.
ex|pand ◆◇◇ / I kspæ nd/ (expands , expanding , expanded )
1 VERB If something expands or is expanded , it becomes larger. □ [V ] Engineers noticed that the pipes were not expanding as expected. □ [V n] We have to expand the size of the image. □ [V -ing] …a rapidly expanding universe. □ [V -ed] …strips of expanded polystyrene.
2 VERB If something such as a business, organization, or service expands , or if you expand it, it becomes bigger and includes more people, goods, or activities. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] The popular ceramics industry expanded towards the middle of the 19th century. □ [V n] Health officials are proposing to expand their services by organising counselling.
▸ expand on or expand upon PHRASAL VERB If you expand on or expand upon something, you give more information or details about it when you write or talk about it. □ [V P n] The president used today's speech to expand on remarks he made last month. SYNONYMS expand VERB 1
increase: The population continues to increase.
grow: The economy continues to grow.
extend: This year they have introduced three new products to extend their range.
develop: Over the last few years tourism here has developed considerably.
enlarge: …the plan to enlarge Ewood Park into a 30,000 all-seater stadium.
ex|panse / I kspæ ns/ (expanses ) N‑COUNT An expanse of something, usually sea, sky, or land, is a very large amount of it. □ [+ of ] …a vast expanse of grassland.
ex|pan|sion ◆◇◇ / I kspæ nʃ ə n/ (expansions ) N‑VAR Expansion is the process of becoming greater in size, number, or amount. □ [+ of ] …the rapid expansion of private health insurance. □ …a new period of economic expansion. SYNONYMS expansion NOUN
increase: …a sharp increase in productivity.
development: Education is central to a country's economic development.
growth: The area has seen a rapid population growth.
spread: The greatest hope for reform is the gradual spread of information.
ex|pan|sion|ary / I kspæ nʃənri/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Expansionary economic policies are intended to expand the economy of a country.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Expansionary policies or actions are intended to increase the amount of land that a particular country rules. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …concerns about the country's expansionary objectives.
ex|pan|sion|ism / I kspæ nʃən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to a country's expansionism , you disapprove of its policy of increasing its land or power. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Soviet expansionism was considered a real threat.
ex|pan|sion|ist / I kspæ nʃən I st/ ADJ If you describe a country or organization as expansionist , you disapprove of it because it has a policy of increasing its land or power. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the intended victim of his expansionist foreign policy.
ex|pan|sive / I kspæ ns I v/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If something is expansive , it covers or includes a large area or many things. [FORMAL ] □ …an expansive grassy play area. □ They have played an expansive style of rugby.
2 ADJ If you are expansive , you talk a lot, or are friendly or generous, because you are feeling happy and relaxed. □ He was becoming more expansive as he relaxed. ● ex|pan|sive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'I'm here to make them feel good,' he says expansively.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a period of time or an economy as expansive , you mean that it is associated with growth or expansion. □ An active and expansive market economy is a necessary condition for progress.
ex|pat /e kspæt/ (expats ) N‑COUNT An expat is the same as an expatriate . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
ex|pat|ri|ate /ekspæ triət, -pe I t-/ (expatriates ) N‑COUNT An expatriate is someone who is living in a country which is not their own. □ …British expatriates in Spain. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Expatriate is also an adjective. □ The French military is preparing to evacuate women and children of expatriate families.
ex|pect ◆◆◆ / I kspe kt/ (expects , expecting , expected )
1 VERB If you expect something to happen, you believe that it will happen. □ [V to-inf] …a council workman who expects to lose his job in the next few weeks. □ [be V -ed to-inf] The talks are expected to continue until tomorrow. □ [V that] Few expected that he would declare his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. □ [be V -ed that] It is expected that the new owner will change the yacht's name. □ [V n] They expect a gradual improvement in sales of new cars.