broaden
/'brɔ:dn/
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To make something wider or more extensive in physical dimension, scope, or range.
- To increase the variety, knowledge, or experience of something or someone.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become wider or more extensive.
Usage
The verb "broaden" is used to describe the action of expanding something, either literally (like a road) or figuratively (like knowledge or experience). It often implies a positive development towards greater inclusivity, understanding, or capacity.
Examples
Transitive use (making something broader):
- The city plans to broaden the main avenue to reduce traffic congestion.
- Traveling is an excellent way to broaden your horizons and understand different cultures.
- The university aims to broaden its curriculum to include more interdisciplinary courses.
Intransitive use (becoming broader):
- The river broadens significantly as it approaches the sea.
- Her smile broadened when she saw the surprise.
- The discussion broadened to include topics of sustainability and ethics.
Advanced Usage
"Broaden one's horizons/mind": A common idiom meaning to increase one's range of knowledge, experience, or understanding.
- Reading philosophy can really help to broaden your mind.
"Broaden the appeal/scope": To make something attractive or applicable to a wider group or range of situations.
- The marketing team worked to broaden the appeal of the product to younger consumers.
Variants and Related Words
- Broad (adjective): Having great width; extensive.
- Broadly (adverb): In a wide manner; generally.
- Broadening (noun/gerund): The process of becoming or making broader.
- The broadening of the tax base was a key policy goal.
Synonyms
- Widen: To make or become wider (often more literal).
- Expand: To increase in size, volume, or scope.
- Extend: To lengthen in space or time; to enlarge the scope of.
- Diversify: To make or become more varied (often used in business or investment contexts).
Antonyms
- Narrow: To make or become less wide.
- Restrict: To limit or confine.
- Constrict: To make narrower or tighter.
Related Phrases
- Broaden out: Similar to "broaden," sometimes used for emphasis.
- The path broadened out into a clearing.
- Broaden the debate/discussion: To include more topics or perspectives in a conversation.
- We need to broaden the debate to consider the long-term environmental impacts.
Verb
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become broader
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The road broadened
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vary in order to spread risk or to expand
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The company diversified
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extend in scope or range or area
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The law was extended to all citizens
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widen the range of applications
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broaden your horizon
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Extend your backyard
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make broader
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broaden the road
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