broaden
gb/bɹˈɔdən/ us/bɹˈɔdən/
B2
English
~ 6400
bővít, szélesít, tágít, kiszélesít, kiszélesedik
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to broaden [something abstract]
Travel is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons.
Az utazás az egyik legjobb módja annak, hogy szélesítsd a látókörödet.
The course is designed to broaden students' understanding of global issues.
A kurzus célja, hogy bővítse a hallgatók globális kérdésekkel kapcsolatos ismereteit.
The company is trying to broaden its customer base by advertising online.
Volunteering can broaden your experience and improve your skills.
The discussion helped to broaden his perspective on the problem.
Learner examples
Reading many different books can broaden your mind.
Sok különféle könyv olvasása szélesítheti a látókörödet.
Working in another country will broaden your experience.
Ha egy másik országban dolgozol, az bővíteni fogja a tapasztalataidat.
Talking with people from other cultures can broaden your view of the world.
This class will broaden your knowledge of English.
The club wants to broaden its activities next year.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *broaden* for clearly physical things where *widen* is more natural, for example, saying "They broadened the door" instead of "They widened the door." Another mistake is adding an unnecessary particle, such as *broaden up*, which is incorrect; the correct form is simply *broaden*.
Meaning
Increase the range or scope
Collocations
broaden your horizons
|broaden your experience
|broaden your knowledge
|broaden your understanding
|broaden the scope
|broaden the appeal
Synonyms
expand (Very close in meaning; often used for size or amount in general, not just for ideas or experience.)
|
widen (Similar but slightly more physical; can be used for abstract things, though less strongly linked to mental growth.)
|
enlarge (Stresses making something bigger in size or amount; slightly more formal and less focused on ideas or experience.)
Antonyms
narrow (Means making the range or scope smaller or more limited.)
|
restrict (Emphasizes putting limits on what is possible or allowed.)
Themes
education
|personal_growth
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make the range of something bigger, especially your ideas, knowledge, or experience.
To make something include more things, people, ideas, or areas than before, especially knowledge, experience, or activity.
VERB
B2
2
kiszélesít
B2
kiszélesedik
B2
Usage pattern:
to broaden [something]
The city plans to broaden the main road to reduce traffic jams.
A város azt tervezi, hogy kiszélesíti a főutat a forgalmi dugók csökkentése érdekében.
They had to broaden the doorway to fit the new fridge through.
Ki kellett szélesíteniük az ajtónyílást, hogy beférjen rajta az új hűtő.
As he trained in the gym, his shoulders broadened noticeably.
Her smile broadened when she saw the surprise party.
The path gradually broadened as it came out of the forest.
Learner examples
The government will broaden the bridge next year.
A kormány jövőre kiszélesíti a hidat.
He wants to broaden the path to the house.
Ki akarja szélesíteni a házhoz vezető ösvényt.
After many months of exercise, his chest and shoulders broadened.
Her smile broadened when she heard the good news.
The small street slowly broadened into a wide road.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *broaden* instead of the more common *widen* in everyday physical contexts, for example saying "They will broaden the window" where *widen* sounds more natural. Also, be careful not to confuse this physical meaning with the abstract sense used in expressions like *broaden your horizons*.
Meaning
Make something physically wider
Collocations
broaden the road
|broaden a street
|broaden the doorway
|his shoulders broadened
|her smile broadened
|broaden the path
Synonyms
widen (The most direct physical equivalent; often slightly more common than *broaden* for roads, doors, and similar objects.)
|
spread (Can describe something becoming wider, but also suggests movement outward in many directions.)
Antonyms
narrow (Means making something less wide from side to side.)
Themes
construction
|appearance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something wider, or to become wider, in real physical size or in how it looks.
To make something wider from side to side, or to become wider, in a physical or visual sense.
Grammar
Dictionary form
broaden
IPA
GB/bɹˈɔdən/
US/bɹˈɔdən/
Syllables & stress
broaden (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (broaden)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: broaden
- 3rd Person Singular: broadens
- Present Participle: broadening
- Past: broadened
Word family
Expressions
broaden the mind
1/bɹˈɔdən ðə mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
Increase knowledge or ways of thinking
To give someone new ideas and knowledge so they think in a wider, more open way.
Examples
- Good books can broaden the mind as well as entertain.
- The museum aims to broaden the mind of every visitor.
broaden your horizons
1/bɹˈɔdən jˈʊɹ hɚˈaɪzənz/
fixed phrase
Increase your experiences or knowledge
To get new experiences or ideas that make you see and understand more of the world.
Examples
- Living abroad for a year will really broaden your horizons.
- Taking a class in art history could broaden your horizons beyond your usual interests.
- They encourage students to travel to broaden their horizons.