widening

/'waidni /

Thân thiện

The crew is widening the road to add a new lane.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of making something wider: The process or action of increasing the width or breadth of an object, space, or concept.
   • A part of a road that has been widened: A specific section of a roadway that has been expanded to improve traffic flow, allow for parking, or facilitate passing.
   • An increase in width: The state or result of becoming broader or more extensive in a physical or figurative sense.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The widening of the bridge will accommodate more lanes of traffic. (The act of making the bridge broader.)
  • There's a bus stop in the widening just ahead. (A part of the road that has been expanded.)
  • We observed a gradual widening of the river as we sailed downstream. (An increase in physical width.)
  • The report noted a widening gap between rich and poor. (A figurative increase in the extent of a difference.)

Advanced Usage

• "Widening of the eyes": A phrase describing the action of opening one's eyes more fully, often due to surprise, fear, or interest.

  • Her widening of the eyes betrayed her shock at the news.

• In economic or social contexts: Often used to describe the increasing scope or disparity of a trend.

  • Economists are concerned about the widening trade deficit.
  • There is a widening consensus on the need for action.

Variants and Related Words

• Widen (verb): To make or become wider.

  • The city plans to widen this street next year.

• Wide (adjective): Having a great extent from side to side; broad.

  • They crossed a wide river.

• Widely (adverb): To a great degree; over a large area or range.

  • The theory is widely accepted.

Synonyms

• Broadening: The act of making something broader.
• Expansion: The action of becoming larger or more extensive.
• Dilation: The process of becoming wider or larger, often used in technical/medical contexts (e.g., pupil dilation).

Antonyms

• Narrowing: The act of making something less wide.
• Contraction: The process of becoming smaller or narrower.

Related Phrases

• Widening participation: A policy or initiative aimed at increasing the involvement of a broader range of people, especially in education.

  • The university's widening participation program encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

• Widening circle: A metaphor for something that affects or includes an increasing number of people or things.

  • The scandal had a widening circle of consequences.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of making something wider
2. a part of a road that has been widened to allow cars to pass or park
3. an increase in width

Từ đồng nghĩa

• broadening
• turnout