breadth
gb/bɹˈɛdθ/ us/bɹˈɛdθ/
B1
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
quantity
1
width of something
The size of something from one side to the other side.
Usage pattern:
the breadth of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'breadth' with 'length' or 'depth'. 'Breadth' is specifically side-to-side measurement.
Synonyms
width (Most common and direct synonym; often interchangeable in physical contexts.)
Antonyms
narrowness (Describes having little distance from side to side, opposite of breadth in physical sense.)
Collocations
breadth of experience
|breadth of knowledge
|breadth of view
|full breadth
|considerable breadth
Themes
measurement
|geometry
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The breadth of the table makes it hard to fit through the door.
- The river's breadth was impressive after the heavy rains.
- We measured the breadth of the fabric before cutting it.
Learner examples
- The breadth of the road is ten meters.
- I measured the breadth of the box.
- The breadth of the bed is two meters.
Noun
B2
entity
2
range or scope of something
How wide or large someone's knowledge, ideas, or experience are.
Usage pattern:
the breadth of [knowledge/experience/view]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this only refers to physical size, but it can also mean non-physical extent.
Synonyms
scope (Similar in meaning when referring to range or extent; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
narrowness (Refers to having a limited range or small extent in non-physical sense.)
Collocations
breadth of knowledge
|breadth of experience
|breadth of understanding
Themes
education
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her breadth of knowledge about art is remarkable.
- The course offers a great breadth of topics for students to explore.
- His writing shows a breadth of experience that comes from years of travel.
Learner examples
- She has a breadth of knowledge about history.
- The job requires a breadth of skills.
- I admire his breadth of experience.
Noun
C1
entity
3
a section measured by width
A part of something that is as wide as it is measured from side to side.
Synonyms
swath (Refers to a strip or band, often in farming or fabric contexts.)
Collocations
breadth of cloth
Themes
measurement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The tailor cut a breadth of cloth for the suit.
- Each breadth of wallpaper must match exactly with the next.
- They laid down a breadth of carpet in the hallway.
Learner examples
- He bought a breadth of fabric.
- The painter covered a breadth of wall.
- We need one more breadth of cloth.
Grammar
Dictionary form
breadth
IPA
GB/bɹˈɛdθ/
US/bɹˈɛdθ/
Syllables & stress
breadth (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (breadth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: breadth
- Plural: breadth, breadths
Word family
Expressions
a hair's breadth
1/ə hˈɛɹz bɹˈɛdθ/
fixed phrase
very small distance or margin
A very small amount or distance, almost nothing.
Examples
- The car missed the wall by a hair's breadth.
- He escaped injury by a hair's breadth.
within a hair's breadth of
1/wɪðˈɪn ə hˈɛɹz bɹˈɛdθ əv/
fixed phrase
extremely close to happening or being reached
Almost doing or achieving something; very near to it.
Examples
- She came within a hair's breadth of winning the championship.
- We were within a hair's breadth of disaster.