broaden
gb/bɹˈɔdən/ us/bɹˈɔdən/
B2
English
~ 6400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Increase the range or scope
To make the range of something bigger, especially your ideas, knowledge, or experience.
Usage pattern:
to broaden [something abstract]
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*.
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.)
Collocations
broaden your horizons
|broaden your experience
|broaden your knowledge
|broaden your understanding
|broaden the scope
|broaden the appeal
Themes
education
|personal_growth
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Travel is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons.
- The course is designed to broaden students' understanding of global issues.
- 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.
- Working in another country will broaden your experience.
- 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.
Verb
B2
action
2
Make something physically wider
To make something wider, or to become wider, in real physical size or in how it looks.
Usage pattern:
to broaden [something]
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*.
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.)
Collocations
broaden the road
|broaden a street
|broaden the doorway
|his shoulders broadened
|her smile broadened
|broaden the path
Themes
construction
|appearance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city plans to broaden the main road to reduce traffic jams.
- They had to broaden the doorway to fit the new fridge through.
- 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.
- He wants to broaden the path to the house.
- 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.
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.