widen
/'waidn/
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To make something wider or broader: To increase the physical width, scope, or range of something.
- To cause to be more extensive or inclusive: To expand the limits, area, or influence of something.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become wider or broader: To increase in width or extent.
- To become more extensive or inclusive: To grow in scope or range.
Usage Examples
Verb (transitive):
- The city plans to widen the main road to reduce traffic congestion.
- Reading books can widen your knowledge and perspective.
- She had to widen the dress at the seams.
Verb (intransitive):
- The river widens as it flows toward the sea.
- The gap between their opinions widened over time.
Advanced Usage
"to widen one's horizons": To expand one's experiences, knowledge, or understanding.
- Traveling is a great way to widen your horizons.
"to widen the gap/divide": To increase a difference or disparity between two things.
- The new policy could widen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Variants and Related Words
Wide (adj): Having a great extent from side to side; broad.
- The road is very wide.
Widely (adv): To a great degree; extensively.
- The theory is widely accepted.
Widening (n/gerund): The process or result of becoming wider.
- The widening of the highway will take two years.
Synonyms
- Broaden: To become or make broader.
- Expand: To increase in size, volume, or scope.
- Enlarge: To make or become bigger.
Phrasal Verbs
(This word does not commonly form distinct phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)
Related Idioms
- "Widen the net": To include more people or things in a search, investigation, or selection process.
- The police widened their net to find more suspects.
Verb
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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 wider
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widen the road
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make (clothes) larger
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Let out that dress--I gained a lot of weight
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become broader or wider or more extensive
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The road widened
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