Amplify

verb

amplifies, amplifying, amplified

Frequency

Medium

CEFR Level

Neutral

Domain

Tech

Definition

1. To increase the volume, strength, or intensity of something.
2. To make larger, greater, or more powerful.
3. To expand upon or elaborate an idea or statement.
4. (technical) to increase the magnitude of an electrical signal.

Context Alive

The small coffee shop had always struggled with its quiet atmosphere during live music nights. When the owner finally installed proper speakers and soundboards to amplify the performers’ voices and instruments, the difference was remarkable—suddenly every note reached the back corners, drawing larger crowds who could actually hear the music without straining.

Meanings

5 meanings

1 To Increase Volume or Sound — VERY COMMON Common ▼

This is probably the first meaning that comes to mind. When you amplify sound, you make it louder using equipment like microphones, speakers, or amplifiers. Think about a singer at a concert—their natural voice couldn’t possibly reach thousands of people, so technicians amplify it through massive speaker systems, allowing every word to boom across the stadium. Without amplification, modern music events simply wouldn’t exist.

Vivid Example

The technician adjusted the settings to amplify the guest speaker’s microphone, raising the volume gradually until her voice filled the auditorium clearly without any feedback or distortion bothering the audience.

2 To Strengthen or Intensify — VERY COMMON Common ▼

Beyond sound, amplify describes making anything stronger or more intense. Emotions, effects, problems, concerns—all can be amplified. When stress amplifies your anxiety, small worries that you’d normally ignore suddenly feel overwhelming and impossible to shake. Social media tends to amplify controversies, turning minor disagreements into massive public battles within hours.

Vivid Example

The economic crisis only served to amplify existing tensions between different social groups, transforming quiet resentments into open protests that spread across multiple cities within weeks.

3 To Expand or Elaborate on Ideas — COMMON Common ▼

In communication and academic contexts, amplify means to develop an idea further or add more detail to a statement. A teacher might ask you to amplify your argument, meaning you should provide more examples, evidence, or explanation. When someone amplifies a point in a meeting, they’re building on it, adding depth and supporting information to make it more convincing.

Vivid Example

The author decided to amplify the final chapter of her book, adding personal interviews and historical context that transformed a simple conclusion into a powerful, memorable ending readers would discuss for years.

4 To Increase Electrical Signals (Technical) — SPECIALIZED Common ▼

In electronics and engineering, amplify has a precise technical meaning: increasing the strength of an electrical signal. Your phone amplifies weak radio signals so you can hear callers clearly. Guitar amplifiers take the tiny electrical signal from the strings and amplify it into the powerful sound that fills concert halls.

Vivid Example

The engineer designed a special circuit to amplify the weak signals coming from the distant satellite, boosting them strong enough for ground stations to process the data accurately without losing critical information.

5 To Give Greater Reach or Visibility — COMMON (Modern Usage) Common ▼

In today’s digital world, amplify often means spreading a message to a wider audience. When influencers amplify a cause by sharing it with their followers, they’re helping that message reach thousands or millions of people who might never have heard about it otherwise. Organizations actively seek ways to amplify their voices in crowded media landscapes.

Vivid Example

Several celebrities used their platforms to amplify the charity’s message, sharing posts and videos that quickly went viral, raising awareness and donations far beyond what the small organization could have achieved alone.

Examples from the Street

“Social media can amplify rumours in minutes.”

Online platforms can spread and intensify false stories incredibly fast

“Could you amplify that point? I didn’t quite follow.”

Could you expand on that idea and explain it in more detail?

“The microphone amplifies your voice so everyone can hear.”

The device increases the volume of your speech for the whole room

Common Patterns

amplify the effect/impact → make the result stronger or more noticeable

amplify fears/concerns/anxiety → make worries feel bigger and more intense

amplify a message/voice → spread and strengthen someone’s words or viewpoint

amplify the problem/risk → make an issue worse or more serious

amplify a point/statement → expand on an idea with more detail

amplify on something → elaborate or provide additional explanation

amplify sound/signals → increase volume or strength electronically

amplify through speakers/a microphone → boost audio using equipment

something amplifies something → one thing intensifies another

be amplified by something → be made stronger by a factor

serve to amplify → have the effect of intensifying

Collocations

4 collocations

amplify the message

make a statement louder or more widespread

amplify the sound

increase the volume

amplify the effect

make the impact stronger

amplify concerns

make worries seem bigger or louder

Example Sentences

12 examples

Social media tends to amplify fears during a crisis rather than calm people down

Online platforms often intensify worries during emergencies instead of reassuring the public.

The speaker system amplifies sound so the back rows can hear clearly

The audio equipment boosts the volume so those seated far away can listen without difficulty.

Could you amplify that point? I’d like to understand your reasoning better

Could you expand on that idea? I want to grasp your logic more fully.

The charity uses celebrity endorsements to amplify its message

The organisation leverages famous supporters to spread its cause more widely.

Lack of sleep can amplify the effects of stress on your body

Insufficient rest can intensify how tension impacts your physical health.

The pandemic amplified existing inequalities in the healthcare system

The health crisis worsened the disparities that already existed in medical services.

Her silence only served to amplify the rumours about her resignation

Her refusal to comment only made the gossip about her departure grow stronger.

The guitarist uses a pedal to amplify the signal before it reaches the speakers

The musician employs a device to boost the electronic output before it goes to the sound system.

News coverage can amplify the impact of a politician’s speech

Media reporting can magnify the influence of a government official’s address.

The organisation works to amplify the voices of young activists

The group strives to give greater platform and reach to youth campaigners.

Learner Examples

★

Group discussions amplify the effect of reading activities — students remember vocabulary better when they talk about it with classmates

Collaborative conversations intensify the benefit of text-based exercises — learners retain new words more effectively when they discuss them with peers.

★

A good teacher knows how to amplify students’ voices — giving quieter learners the confidence and platform to share their ideas

An effective instructor understands how to give greater presence to learners’ contributions — providing shy individuals with the assurance and opportunity to express their thoughts.